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In this moment of peaceful transition toward a recommitted democracy, we must make sure the Biden administration keeps its promise of bringing families together. Edith Espinal and Miriam Vargas are two mothers that deserve for this promise to ring true. They have both been denied the opportunity to be reunited with their families until now.
Edith has been in sanctuary at Columbus Mennonite Church since October 2017 and Miriam at First English Lutheran Church since June 2018. As we began the process of reconciliation, our Congress must act now and do more than pause the current deportation laws. Let’s start by getting Edith and Miriam home with their families.
We need full fledged immigration reform but even before that makes its way through Congress we can protect mothers and preserve families. Morgan Harper, Shannon Hardin, and faith leaders and supporters went to the Columbus ICE office and delivered a request for a Stay of Removal and a Request for Deferred Action on behalf of Edith, who has spent 3 years in sanctuary. Yesterday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order suspending the deportation of certain immigrants. Edith is a prime candidate for favorable exercise of discretion! Here's how you can help:Call Rep. Joyce Beatty and Sen. Sherrod Brown and ask them to call the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to urge them to approve Edith's application. You can also encourage Rep. Beatty to re-introduce a private bill on Edith's behalf. Phone numbers to their offices are below, followed by an example prompt. Let's make sure ICE does the right thing! Representative Joyce Beatty: (614) 220-0003 Rep. Beatty's D.C. Office: (202) 225-4324 Senator Sherrod Brown: (614) 469-2083 Sen. Brown's D.C. Office: (202) 224-2315 Sample Script “Hello, my name is ___________, and I am a constituent of Columbus. I would like to encourage [Rep. Beatty/Sen. Brown] to call the acting ICE Director to grant/approve Edith's application for a Stay of Removal/Deferred Action, and that her case be granted prosecutorial discretion so that she can be free to live united with her family. Today there are 40 people living in sanctuary, taking refuge in houses of worship as their only option to be safe from deportation and to keep their families intact. The Obama administration granted many of these people stays of removal, but over the last four years they have been forced into sanctuary as the Trump administration has worked incessantly to deport them or send them to detention centers. Edith has been living in our church for more than 3 years and 4 months. I urge the [Representative/Senator] to use their influence and do the right thing.”
www.SolidarityWithEdith.org/donate
VIRTUAL CONCERT TO SUPPORT MIRIAM IN SANCTUARY:
Sunday January 31st, 2021 at 7pm please join Team Miriam for a Virtual Fundraiser Concert to raise money for Miriam Vargas and her family’s living expenses and legal fees. Hosted by Paisha Thomas, local artist, musician, activist and dear friend of Miriam. Featuring musical performances by James Blackmon (pianist), Rudy Vasquez (flautist), local folk legend Bill Cohen and our host, singer and guitarist Paisha Thomas; a poetry reading with Jade Castell and Freesia McKee; and a very special interview with Miriam herself! All donations are welcome and appreciated via Miriam’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/d7f70016
Again that’s Sunday, January 31st at 7pm on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84343664012?pwd=YTFkbEFOMFpETFhpQnlzdVhKQWIrdz09
Support Edith by ordering some of her homemade food HERE!
Support Edith and enjoy a great meal! Select between a chicken and vegan option: Chicken in Chipotle Coca Cola Sauce & Rice, OR,
a Meatless Chick'n Strips in Chipotle Coca Cola Sauce & Rice option. Place an order at the order form HERE . Pick up will be in the parking lot on Friday, January 29 from 5:15-6:30 PM. Order today! Form will be closed 1/27. Order soon as there are limited spots!
