Pacifica Synod AMMPARO Network

Pacifica Synod AMMPARO Network Updates
February 2021

The minutes from our last meeting on January 23, 2021 may be found here:
Pacifica Synod AMMPARO Minutes 1.23.2021

If you would like the additional information about the work of this group, please contact Pastor Karla or Deacon Roberta Wall at roberta_k_2000@yahoo.com

Ways to Respond

Under the current Administration’s policy, thousands of asylum-seekers who would otherwise be awaiting their asylum hearings in the United States are being forced to wait in Mexico. Their names are on an informal list which is now more than 9,000 names long. Approximately 40 people are allowed to come to the border to make their appeal to begin the asylum process per day. This leaves thousands of asylum-seekers, men, women, children, families waiting for months to be able to approach the US border.

The strain on charities and non-profits in Tijuana is immense. We’ve seen this firsthand at Instituto Madre Asunta, a shelter for women and children, and Casa de Migrantes, a shelter for men. Members of our synod have had a long and healthy relationship with these two institutions. We’ve seen their good work firsthand on many occasions and we want to ease their burden and assist them in any way we can. Both institutions are full beyond capacity, the women and children’s shelter about three times their normal guests. Yet they continue to shelter, feed, educate, and assist with legal, psychological, and medical needs.

Because the needs have increased beyond the need for one teacher, we urge ongoing donations to Instituto Madre Asunta’s general fund to help meet the needs of asylum-seekers and migrants as they see fit. https://www.facebook.com/asuntatijuana/

To make a donation, please send a check payable to the Pacifica Synod office and include “Instituto Madre Asunta” in the memo line. The synod office address is 1801 Park Court Place, Bldg. C, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

We also continue the work of the Pacifica AMMPARO Network on this side of the border. We encourage you to contact your local Rapid Response network and see how you can be involved. https://ccij.sfbar.org/california-rapid-response-networks/

If you would like more information about what you can do to help your local community or those across the border, please see the lists below for opportunities in your local area or email the AMMPARO Network Pacifica Synod, ELCA at ammparonetworkinpacificasynod@gmail.com

• Immigrant Service Organizations – San Diego County
• Immigrant Service Organizations – Inland Empire & Imperial County
• Immigrant Service Organizations – Orange County

In Christ,

Pastor Karla Halvorson
Pacifica Synod AMMPARO Network

Please prayerfully participating, consider learning more about organizations serving asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants through donating, volunteering your time, or contacting any of our partners. For a detailed list of these organizations, along with ways to get involved with or financially support them, please click here.

Please contact ammparonetworkinpacificasynod@gmail.com for more information and how to connect with partners in Mexico.