SANCTUARY MOVEMENT READY TO PROVIDE REFUGE AFTER TPS ENDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 7th, 2017
Contact: Myrna Orozco | 202.599.3585 | morozco@cwsglobal.org

                                              SANCTUARY MOVEMENT READY TO PROVIDE REFUGE AFTER TPS ENDS
                     As news of the administrations end to TPS for Nicaraguans houses of worship are ready to provide welcome.

Washington, DC - As news that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be ending for individuals from Nicaragua, and the status of other nationals like Hondurans and Haitians could be taken away very soon, the Sanctuary Movement reaffirms its commitment to welcome those seeking refuge from the administrations mass deportation agenda. Leaders in the Sanctuary Movement issued the following statements.

Rev. Noel Andersen, National Grassroots Coordinator with Church World Service said, “Thousands of people, whom we once welcomed into safety, are now at risk of being separated from their families, and potentially sent back to life-threatening situations in their home countries. Many of these people have started families, businesses, and have become part of our communities and congregations thinking they would be protected under TPS. As a country we welcomed these people and now we are turning our backs on them. This administration is trying to create a new population of undocumented people they can deport by ending TPS and we will not stand for it. The Sanctuary Movement is ready to open it doors and welcome those who seek safety and refuge.”

Sarah John from the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America, which is currently leading the efforts to stop the deportation of a Honduran national who has taken Sanctuary in St. Louis, added, “We’ve been accompanying the people of Latin America for 35 years. We’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of US foreign policy and military intervention in Nicaragua and Honduras on communities of color and people living in poverty. Those of us in the US have a moral obligation to ensure that our government honors not only our dignity but the dignity of all. Ending TPS threatens the wellbeing of thousands of our neighbors. Our community will continue to prepare to offer radical hospitality to those in need, and advocate aggressively for Congress to do their job and pass legislation that honors our shared values.”

Rev. Alison Harrington of Southside Presbyterian Church concluded: “The administration's decision to put the lives of 2,500 Nicaraguans at risk is unacceptable. To also, add anxiety and fear into the lives of thousands of Hondurans and Haitians by putting them in limbo is immoral. We opened our doors to provide safety to these individuals and turning our back on them now is not who we are. As people of faith we will take a stand and let people know that the Sanctuary Movement is ready to do what the administration won’t: provide safety and refuge to our siblings in need.”

                                   Learn more about the National Sanctuary movement at www.sanctuarynotdeportation.org  
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