Social Justice Corner Newsletter August 22, 2024

Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, more than 97,000 Afghans, including those who worked alongside the U.S. military, diplomats, and aid workers in Afghanistan, have arrived in the United States seeking safety. Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and other refugee resettlement agencies have worked to resettle Afghans who were able to leave Afghanistan, many of whom face an uncertain future. Many of these Afghans face an uncertain future without legal permanent status.

As Christians, we can help the vulnerable and extend welcome to those who seek refuge. We have a particular obligation to help Afghans who worked alongside the U.S. government, as well as those who were most at risk when the Taliban returned to power.

We are renewing our call for Congress to support the passage of the “Afghan Adjustment Act” (S.Amdt.2682 to S.4638) as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 or as a standalone bill to create a dedicated path to permanent status for Afghans in the United States. Please write your members today! Here is the link to contact your elected representatives.

• A Civil Discourse Primer: Building Capacity for Engaging on Tough Topics Join Episcopal Public Policy Network on August 27^th at 4pm EDT for a primer on our civil discourse curriculum, helping you understand the opportunities and limits of civil discourse as a critical tool for bridging partisan divides, learning from one another, and creating better solutions for our communities.

• Resources for Recess Congress is out for August! Learn how you can engage your elected officials in different ways during this time.

• Election Engagement Resources Get our parish ready to help our community vote in the 2024 election.