Immigration Service Team: Welcoming the Stranger

As a church, we take seriously the call to welcome the stranger and love our neighbors as ourselves.  In a time when immigrants are being vilified, imprisoned, deported, and denied basic due process, we choose compassion. 

Our Service Team of over 70 volunteers provides friendship, housing and practical support to people seeking safety in the United States. Together with a network of community partners, we speak out for fair and humane immigration policies.  We welcome you to join us in this critical, life-giving work.
 
CLICK HERE to read more about who we are and what we do!
 

FOUR WAYS YOU CAN HELP

 Volunteer

 
Be there for individuals and families. Needs vary over time, but opportunities that often arise include:
 
· Offer friendship and practical support to individuals, families, and university students – make a meal, share a cup of coffee, give rides, introduce families to this community and the resources that make life easier.
 
· Join an Emergency Response Team – gather in times of crisis when immigration officers come.
 
· Assist with temporary housing and/or help with moving – provide a bedroom and bathroom for up to 1-6 months to someone seeking asylum; provide muscle power or a pick-up truck to help a family.
 
· Visit and/or offer translation services to those in prison: join the Jail Visitation Program for immigrants being held at the Strafford County Jail in Dover.
 

 Donate

 

Make A Gift – donations make it possible for individuals to secure legal representation, survive during the 6-7-month period when they are not permitted to work, raise the money to post bond, etc. 

  • Donate On-Line – In the drop-down menu of “Give to Stewardship”, choose “Give to Immigrant Support Fund” then choose how you want to pay.
  • Write a Check to Community Church – Write “immigration Ministry” in the memo line.  Mail to: CCD, PO Box 310, Durham, NH 03824

 

Support Immigrants in Detention – The  IRSG/NHUCC Immigrant Bond and Support Fund provides modest commissary funds for individuals detained by ICE at the Strafford County Jail in Dover; helps eligible immigrants post bond; provides temporary financial assistance to individuals and families; and assists with legal fees in special circumstances.

Protect Due Process – The  ACLU of NH is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that plays a pivotal role in protecting the rights of immigrants in New Hampshire including many people we know and love here in the Seacoast.

 

Speak Out

 
Participate in a Prayer Vigil – join other people of faith on the first Tuesday of the month outside our state’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office Contact Martin Toe for more information: MToe@granitestateorganizing.org
 
Be a voice for a fair and humane immigration system – urge policy makers to keep families and communities together, keep an eye on Community Church Action Alerts , contact your congressional leaders (5 Calls A Day app makes this easy to write messages and make calls)
 
Educate others – Talk with your friends, family, and neighbors, get “Know Your Rights” cards into the hands of your immigrant friends (cards are available in several languages on the table outside the church office), staff an information table at Friendship Hour. Sign up here.
 
 

Learn More

 

Educate Yourself – Sign up for the:

  • CCD Focus on Immigration Newsletter that provides policy and news updates along with opportunities to act. 
  • AFSC Statehouse Watch Newsletter the American Friends Service newsletter is published weekly during legislative sessions (and occasionally at other times of the year) to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including immigration, civil rights, and labor rights.
  • Sign up here for Immigration Service Team emails.

Get email alerts from the ACLU NH Immigrant Rights Project 

Check out the resources on the United Church of Christ website: https://www.ucc.org/justice_immigration-2/