Tag Archives: asylum seekers

August 3, 2025 · 12:06 pm

A prayer for Yeonsoo Go (and others)

20-year-old Yeonsoo Go, the daughter of Episcopal priest, the Rev. Kyrie Kim, and a graduate of Scarsdale High School in Westchester County was detained by ICE on July 31 after appearing in court, as ordered by the court, for a procedural hearing on her visa application. The South Korean native moved to New York in 2021 with her mother.

Yeonsoo’s situation is one of many. Add other people’s names as you pray. If appropriate, send me those names and I will share them.

An active prayer: Contact your elected representatives demanding that they work to end detention of people seeking to follow the legal processes for immigration.

A prayer for Yeonsoo Go (and others)
God of justice,
we pray for your beloved child
Yeonsoo Go
who was detained by ICE
after appearing in court
for a routine visa hearing.
Watch over Yeonsoo
and keep her safe.
Grant her strength and courage.
Stand with her mother,
the Rev. Kim Kyrie
and her family and friends.
Guide those who protest
this injustice.
Bless their efforts.
We pray for Yeonsoo,
knowing that she is
but one of too, too many
taken by ICE –
often when they were doing
as Yeonsoo and following the rules
to obtain legal status in this country.
Inspire elected representatives
to join the protest and call
for the release of Yeonsoo
and all your beloved children
detained without due process.
Touch the hearts of those
who implement such polices,
transform their views from
cruelty and fear
to compassion and welcome.
We pray for Yeonsoo and
all our immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking siblings
in the name of Jesus, the refugee.
Amen.

Leave a comment

Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Human Rights, New York, Prayer

Tagged as , , , , , ,

January 19, 2025 · 5:10 pm

Know your rights – Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Chicago

While this alert is focused on Chicago, the information applies anywhere.

We are taking a moment to advise all of our members and supporters to be vigilant this week, especially those who are immigrants or non-citizens. 

Tomorrow, a new presidential administration will take office. We expect heightened immigration enforcement activity throughout the next four years, possibly beginning this week. Some members of the Trump administration have claimed they will target Chicago with immigration raids and patrols. While it is impossible to know whether these plans will materialize, we urge community members to be alert, prepare, and know their rights. 

If you are stopped by an immigration officer (from ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement): 

  • You have the right to remain silent. 
  • Remain calm and keep your hands where officers can see them. 
  • Do not discuss your immigrant or citizenship status with police, immigration agents, or any other officials. 
  • Do not sign anything you do not understand. Ask to speak with an attorney. 

If immigration officers knock on your door at home:

  • DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. Teach your children or other household members not to open the door. 
  • ICE officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. Many ICE “warrants” are not signed by judges; they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers and they do NOT grant authority to enter your home without your consent. Ask the officer to slide the “warrant” under the door for you to review. 

In solidarity, 

Grace and the Advancing Justice | Chicago team

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Immigration Resources

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) information related to refugees and asylum seekers

Leave a comment

Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 18, 2020 · 3:36 pm

18 December 2020

Stretching. Gym in the apartment. NK Body Philosophy.
Immigrant – John McCutcheon
Unité 75 – Daara J Family
The Refugee – U2
Refugee – Eric Bogle
Immigrants (We Get The Job Done) – K’naan, Snow Tha Product, Riz MC & Residente
Deportees – Sweet Honey In The Rock
Migra – Santana
The Dreamer – Jackson Browne feat. Los Cenzontles
Ave Que Emigra – Gaby Moreno
The Migrant Worker – Jim Croce
Alien (Hold On To Your Dream) – Gil Scott-Heron
Immigrant Eyes – Willie Nelson
Gourma – Etran Fintawa
Take Me to Cleveland – Robert Neustadt
Look in Their Eyes – David Crosby
A Safe Place to Land – Sara Bareilles feat. John Legend
Running (Refugee Song) – Keyon Harrold, Andrea Pizziconi & Jasson Harrold feat. Common & Gregory Porter
My Only Home – Unchained XL feat. Genesis Elijah & Femi Ashiru
Beyond the Border – Bhi Bhiman
Highwomen – The Highwomen
Why We Build the Wall – Patrick Page & Hadestown Original Broadway Company
La Jaula De Oro – Los Tigres del Norte
Cages – Redbait
Bad Hombres Y Mujeres – Antonio Sanchez
La Frontera – Lagartijeando Jallalla feat. Minük
Migration – Jonny Lipford
No Geography – The Chemical Brothers
Go Tell a Bird – Maya De Vitry
Amor Migrante – Elena & Los Fulanos
Godspeed (Dulce Suenos) – Radney Foster
The Immigrants – Gaby Moreno & Van Dyke Parks
No Human Is Illegal – The Wakes

Leave a comment

Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Exercise, Louisville, Music, playlist, United Nations

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

June 25, 2019 · 11:26 pm

Stand with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers

This material is probably most helpful to Presbyterians and people who live in New York City. But as long as it is assembled, it seems worth sharing … if it can help one person in such a time as this.

FOR IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS AND THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Helpful Numbers
Call the ActionNYC hotline at 1-800-354-0365 to receive free and safe immigration legal help.

Report an ICE Raid to the New Sanctuary Coalition. Call 646-395-2925 or send an email to info@newsanctuarynyc.org.

Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights – The Immigrant Defense Project provides two-page flyers in multiple languages that explain what your rights are and what to do in an encounter with ICE.

Know Your Rights Community Toolkit – these toolkits are available from the New York Immigration Coalition in many languages.

Know Your Rights – New Sanctuary Coalition

Immigrants & New York – a coalition of groups has created this infographic resource for immigrants in English, Spanish, and French.

Home Raids Poster – The Immigrant Defense Project provides a poster to hang in the home (and your church) with a reminder of your rights, what to say, and what to document in case of an ICE raid.

Preparations
How to Prepare Yourself for an Immigration Raid – Informed Immigrant

Prepare for an ICE Raid – New Sanctuary Coalition

Discernment and Planning Tools for Those Facing Deportation – this resource can help individuals who face deportation and their families explore options – PC(USA) Office of Immigration Issues

Use an English or Spanish Family Care to help undocumented members individuals prepare a family care plan so that they can ensure that their children will be cared for, their prescriptions can be filled, and they can have some sense of control over their lives in the event that they are detained – PC(USA) Office of Immigrations

Sanctuary
Find Sanctuary in New York – New Sanctuary Coalition

Sanctuary – what do people who may want to enter sanctuary need to think about – PC(USA Office of Immigration Issues

Sanctuary Discernment Guide – the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness offers this guide for congregations considering declaring themselves as a sanctuary congregation.

WHAT CAN WE DO? FOR EVERYONE
Pray.

Build and nurture relationships with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in your neighborhood.

Contact Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer. Contact your Representative (or call 202-225-3121 and ask for your Representative by name to be connected to their office). Share your concerns. Ask what they will to do.

Help Detained Children identifies organizations providing aid to migrants. Donate, volunteer, and support these organizations.

Participate in the July 12th, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps – 7:00 PM on Foley Square.

Support the New Sanctuary Coalition’s Live In Faith Everyday Bond Fund that bonds out individuals who are detained so they can fight their cases from their communities instead of behind. It matters to children.

Learn about the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship’s Accompaniment Program in Aqua Prieta.

Give to and volunteer with groups working on immigration issues in New York City:

Use the We Choose Welcome Action Guide from the PC(USA) to welcome refugees.

Join Presbyterians for Just Immigration to receive information updates and action suggestions.

Leave a comment

Filed under Current Events, Human Rights, New York, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbytery of New York City

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,