Take Action

Educate: Start an Immigration Study Group at your Church

Welcoming the Stranger: Christians and Immigration Discussion Guide

Immigration is a sensitive issue that provokes strong opinions from people and has been a source of division in many communities. You can use this series to invite church members to discuss different positions in a safe, respectful environment. This guide includes four sessions, each with Sojourners articles, questions for discussion, and ideas for further study. The resources here are a starting point for a further journey—where will the Spirit lead your group?

Guía Para el Diálogo
Acogiendo a los Extranjeros: Los Cristianos y la Inmigración

A través de reflexiones bíblicas y personales, esta guía de estudio de 48 páginas exhorta a los lectores a pensar en la inmigración en el contexto de la fe cristiana. La guía es perfecta para estudios bíblicos, pequeños grupos, o como parte de un plan educativo en las aulas. ¿De qué forma las escrituras inciden en nuestras perspectivas sobre la inmigración, los inmigrantes, los extranjeros y la hospitalidad? ¿De qué forma acogen nuestras iglesias locales a "los extranjeros"? ¿Cómo sería una política migratoria compasiva?

Advocate: Build a Relationship with Your Member of Congress

Welcoming the Stranger: An Organizer’s Toolkit

Communicating with your members of Congress and administration officials is the most important advocacy step you can take. It takes just minutes to pick up the phone, put pen to paper, or log onto e-mail to let your representatives in Washington, D.C., know how you feel about this issue. Some elected officials have consistent anti-immigrant policy positions, or don’t communicate much on these issues. It is important to contact these officials, and let them know that their constituents are supportive of immigrants’ rights. While you may not be successful in convincing them that your position is correct, it is important to create the space for dialogue, and for them to hear your perspective. Education and grassroots pressure can, over time, change peoples’ minds.

Publicize: Write a Letter-to-the-Editor or an Op-ed

Welcoming the Stranger: An Organizer’s Toolkit
Acogiendo a los Extranjeros: Paquete Informativo para la educación y la acción cristiana

Your words, stories, and personal experiences regarding immigration issues are the most effective and newsworthy articles. Start by crafting your main message. Papers look for clear, concise, and passionate opinions. Combine your personal stories, and perspective on how the issue affects your community, with tangible facts. Identify who you are, why you are writing, what the issue is, how it affects the community, and what others can do about it.