Dear Friend,

Jan. 29 marks one year since the first person was returned to Mexico under the “Remain in Mexico” policy. As part of the #Faith4Asylum campaign we invite you to join us at the United Methodist Building (100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002) on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m., for a prayer vigil calling for policies that ensure the care and humanity of people fleeing danger and seeking asylum, and calling for an end to policies like “Remain in Mexico” that keep asylum seekers in harm’s way.

The “Remain in Mexico” policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), is an unsafe and unlawful policy that forces asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. border to wait in Mexico for a chance to make their asylum cases in court within the U.S.

Under the “Remain in Mexico” policy implemented a year ago, the U.S. government has forced more than 57,000 people seeking asylum — including around 16,000 children — to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions in Mexico, without access to sufficient food and medical care, while they wait for their cases to be processed. More than 800 people, including 200 children, have suffered assaults, robberies, kidnappings, rape, and even murder while remaining in Mexico. These numbers only represent a fraction of the people facing danger, since most people who returned have not spoken with human rights investigators or journalists. Religious and humanitarian workers trying to help asylum seekers and protect them from attacks have been threatened and harmed for their efforts.

As people of faith, let’s defend the right for people to seek asylum and be protected from harm as their cases are processed!

Hoping to see you there,

Paola Fuentes Gleghorn

Immigration and Women & Girls Campaign Coordinator

P.S. Not able to make the D.C. event? Host your own vigil! Click here to access resources to help you plan and host a vigil to protect asylum.