Accompanying Central American children and families

Be part of the ELCA’s commitment to accompanying Central American children and families

Take action now at the ELCA Action Center!

“Dios es nuestro amparo y fortaleza,” (“God is our refuge and strength,”) – Psalm 46:1

On August 10, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed the AMMPARO strategy, acting as a church for the sake of the world to bear witness to the conditions affecting children and families being forced out of their communities in Central America. Voting members gave touching testimony about why the church must continue to accompany these communities. Your voice is essential as our church calls on the U.S. government to protect children and families today while ensuring that our foreign policies help shelter the most vulnerable in the communities where people flee.

As Members of Congress visit their home districts this August, help us make sure they know that our church is committed to walk alongside and lift up the voices of children and families from Central America.

Currently, there are two bills in Congress that affect how the U.S. invests in addressing the underlying issues that cause children and families to be forcibly displaced. The Secure the Northern Triangle Act (S. 3106/H.R. 5850) conditions U.S. support for programs in Central America on the assurance that steps are taken to uphold human rights and gives guidance for U.S. and Central American governments to improve the systems put in place to protect vulnerable populations. The State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017 also outlines guidelines for U.S. investment in the region.

Although providing funding to address the underlying conditions driving the violence, poverty and lack of opportunities in the countries of origin is important, we must ensure that this support is translated into improvements for the most vulnerable communities. Please join us in ensuring strong human rights conditions are included in any funds going to Central America and Mexico. As people of faith who believe in the God-given dignity of all, we must ensure that our policies reflect our values.

Take action now at the ELCA Action Center!

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