Pax Christi USA endorses the statement initiated by the Hope Border Institute and Faith in Action National and International with immigrant rights groups calling for migrant and refugee protection during the COVID-19 pandemic
from Hope Border Institute
WASHINGTON, DC – In a statement today to elected leaders, Faith in Action and the Hope Border Institute have partnered with grassroots and religious organizations in Mexico and Central America to demand urgent protections for migrants across the region during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Faith in Action is the nation’s largest grassroots faith-based organizing network and organizes in Central America through Faith in Action International. The Hope Border Institute, headquartered in El Paso, Texas, works to build justice and deepen solidarity on the US-Mexico border through a robust program of research and policy work, leadership development and action.
“In his Easter letter to popular movements around the world, Pope Francis lamented that the pandemic has laid bare the inequalities embedded within our political and social systems. As always those at the margins of our societies are feeling the harshest impact – none more so than than migrants at this time. We will only be successful in this fight against Covid-19 to the degree that we act in solidarity with the most vulnerable,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz.
The coalition urges global leaders to focus on five key steps to protect these migrants in this time of Covid-19 pandemic:
- We demand the rapid, safe and orderly release of as many migrants and asylum seekers from detention as possible
- Take immediate steps to slow the spread of the virus in refugee camps, migrant shelters and detention centers
- Provide migrants and refugees equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment and emergency support
- Guarantee the right to asylum
- Make immediate and large-scale investments in public health systems and food and income support for vulnerable families