Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity coordinates the following programs in California to walk alongside people targeted by the immigration system:
- Nueva Esperanza for the newly arrived immigrant
- Detainee Visitation at Adelanto Detention Facility
- Freedom Campaigns for individuals in detention
- A Su Lado single-day actions of public witness at court hearings
- Friends Afuera writing letters to the detained
Note: We ask all accompaniment volunteers to attend an accompaniment training.
Nueva Esperanza
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s Nueva Esperanza Accompaniment Team (NEAT) program trains teams of five volunteers within faith communities to walk alongside recently arrived immigrants. This may include: navigating the legal process, teaching English, providing transitional housing, applying for medical care, enrolling in school, finding employment, etc. By working toward families’ goals together, we create sanctuary, safety, and friendship in community.
Over the past five years, we have trained 260 volunteers who have formed 50 teams, to accompany 150 families and individuals! If your faith community is interested in learning more:
- Download a flyer to spread the word about the Nueva Esperanza program.
- View our Nueva Esperanza Accompaniment Training timeline: the NEAT Process.
- Watch our video, From Root Causes to Sanctuary, about the root causes of migration and the role of accompaniment teams.
- Contact our NEAT Coordinator, Kelly Younger, at kyounger@im4humanintegrity.org about learning more, forming a team, and attending a Nueva Esperanza team training.
Detainee Visitation
Young asylum seekers in shelter
We continue to visit detainees in Adelanto.
The main purpose of visiting immigrants in detention is to help end their isolation and let them know they are not forgotten. This calling requires pastoral work of presence where you are invited to show up, pay attention and listen deeply. It is humbling work where prayers and stories are shared, connections made and decisions taken by those impacted, to achieve the best possible outcome for the detainee and the family.The mission of visitation is to walk with the detained person and connect them to resources that will contribute to their release.
Freedom Campaigns
Engage in public campaigns of individual immigrants fighting to get released from detention by attending press conferences, writing letters, organizing “pack the court” events, and bond fundraisers. Contact Lourdes Barraza at lbarraza@im4humanintegrity.org to receive alerts and notices about Freedom Campaigns.
A Su Lado
Inland Empire: One-day accompaniment to support on individual cases to “pack the court” at Adelanto Immigration Court Hearings. Contact Hilda Cruz at hcruz@im4humanintegrity.org to receive alerts and notices about actions in the Inland Empire.
San Francisco Bay Area: One-day or short-term accompaniment to support immigrants at court hearings, transportation or urgent basic needs.
Contact Lourdes Barraza at lbarraza@im4humanintegrity.org to receive alerts and notices about A Sudu Lado Bay Area.
Friends Afuera
BE A FRIEND TO IMMIGRANTS IN ICE DETENTION
Friends Afuera (Friends Outside) is a program which connects volunteers with immigrants being held in detention by ICE.
Many detained immigrants face isolation as a consequence of their unjust incarceration, separation from family, and the potential for indefinite and prolonged detention. By becoming a friend on the outside, you can help be a community of support with those incarcerated.