ALIRP PARTICIPATES IN VIRTUAL ADVOCACY DAYS, JULY 14-16, 2020 and April 19-22, 2021
The Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership participated in virtual advocacy days in July 2020, organized by the Asylum Working Group (AWG) and Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) Virtual Advocacy Days for Asylum! The goal was to educate Members of Congress about the systematic destruction of asylum protections and the impact the administration’s anti-asylum policies have had on asylum seekers, immigrants, and unaccompanied children - for those on both sides of the southern U.S. border. Learn more at bit.ly/IICAdvocacyInfo. After receiving training in advocacy, ALIRP board members and volunteers connected with a representative from Senator Richard Shelby's office to share the following specific policy asks:
Defund unlawful anti-asylum policies (such as the asylum bans) and safeguard any USCIS appropriation.
Restore asylum protections and end immigrant detention, deportations.
Cosponsor pro-asylum legislation, such as the Refugee Protection Act (S.2936 / H.R.5210) and Asylum Seeker Protection Act (H.R. 2662).
In April, 2021, the ALIRP Advocacy Committee and other ALIRP volunteers and board members participated in Virtual Advocacy Days sponsored by the Refugee Council USA. Members of the Refugee Council USA arranged virtual meetings with staff members of Alabama Senators and Congressional representatives, to discuss specific policy asks that are outlined on the Refugee Council USA website. These policy asks related to (a) rebuilding and strengthening the US refugee admissions program; (b) supporting positive refugee legislation; (c) restoring the US asylum system and humanitarian protection; and (d) protecting stateless people in the US. These meetings provided excellent opportunities for the ALIRP to develop relationships with congressional staff members and to share information related to the work of the ALIRP. Watch for further information about how you can become involved in future Virtual Advocacy Days!
