What we’re doing to assist migrants and refugees during the coronavirus crisis—and how you can help. 

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** A message from CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah
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These are unprecedented times for everyone. At LIRS, we’ve been adjusting to the remote work lifestyle and doing everything we can to serve migrants and refugees despite difficult circumstances. We’re trying to make the most of the situation by sharing pictures of our kids and furry coworkers and experimenting with fun Zoom backgrounds, but I know we’re all hoping for a safe return to normalcy.

The pandemic has upended life as we know it, and the impact is hitting our refugee and migrant brothers and sisters particularly hard. As you may know, refugee resettlement is currently on hold, leaving children and families in at-risk situations and postponing family reunifications. Many refugees and migrants are afraid to seek medical care due to the public charge rule, and many more will not benefit from America’s stimulus plan despite having paid taxes for years. New Americans often hold jobs in industries that have been stopped short by the coronavirus and now have no steady source of income.

But all hope is not lost. Despite their hardships, immigrants in the United States have more than stepped up to the plate. They represent a disproportionately high number of America’s “essential” workforce as doctors, nurses, farmers, agriculture workers, food service providers, and more. They are helping keep this country afloat—and we need to return the favor. Below, please find updates on how LIRS is adapting our work in the midst of the crisis to best serve migrants and refugees, and learn more about how you can help.

I pray that you and your family are staying safe and well.

All my best,

Krish Vignarajah
President & CEO
LIRS

What We’re Doing to Support
Migrants and Refugees
* Ensuring that every eligible migrant and refugee can receive relief stipulated in the CARES (Stimulus) Act
* Advocating to ensure all refugees and migrants can receive testing and treatment for COVID-19, and for other relief measures to be included in the next stimulus legislative package that is now being discussed in Congress
* Continuing to work tirelessly to reunify children with their families (including driving great distances when flights are unavailable!)
* Advocating with both the Congress and the administration to uphold the law and the rights of unaccompanied children and asylum seekers at the border
* Conducting social distancing-safe “porch check-ins” with clients
* Providing medical supplies for elderly clients and care packages for children and families
* Educating clients on COVID-19 signs, symptoms, and safety precautions in their native languages
* Helping families access the technology they need for remote learning
* Providing emergency cash assistance to at-risk families who have suffered illness, job loss, or other hardship due to the crisis
And much more!


** How You Can Help
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** Email your Senators & Representatives today and tell them to…
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* Eliminate immigration restrictions for COVID testing and treatment.
* Ensure the most vulnerable communities get the economic support they need.
* Immediately release migrant families who are being detained.

Become an LIRS advocate and sign up for future advocacy alerts here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
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** Odds are you have more time than ever on your hands, so now is the time to fully understand the state of migrant and refugee rights in the United States.
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* Learn about the state and process of the United States refugee resettlement program with this helpful overview from UNHCR ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
* Test your knowledge of the asylum process with this quiz from LIRS ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
* See statistics on US immigration detention system with this breakdown from Freedom For Immigrants ([link removed][UNIQID]) .

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** These are tough economic times, but if you are able to give, your donation can...
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* Help charge up the commissary accounts of immigrants in detention so that they can buy necessary hygiene supplies like antibacterial soap.
* Support emergency cash assistance for refugees who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and cannot afford food, housing, or other necessities.
* Fund resettlement partners that help connect refugee children with the necessary technology for distance learning.

Donate ([link removed][UNIQID])
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** Let refugees and migrants know that they’re not alone in this difficult time.
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* Write letters to migrants in detention through LIRS’ Hope Can’t Be Quarantined Campaign ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
* Show your support by using the hashtags #RefugeesWelcome and #HopeCantBeQuarantined on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Share Hope ([link removed][UNIQID])

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Attend a Town Hall!
We recently hosted the first official LIRS Town Hall, Serving Migrants in the Time of Pandemic, via webinar. Watch it ** here ([link removed][UNIQID])
, and make sure you're aware of future Town Halls by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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** Twitter ([link removed][UNIQID])
** Medium ([link removed][UNIQID])
** Instagram ([link removed][UNIQID])
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Baltimore, MD 21230-3850
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