“I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matthew 25:35, NRSV)

From Old Testament exhortations to the words of Christ, the Bible calls us to reach out to strangers, loving and welcoming newcomers.

MCC in the U.S. helps to educate about immigration issues; advocates for sensible, humane immigration laws; works to build peace in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border; and provides documentation services to help immigrants navigate the complex immigration system.

 

Related U.S. programs

Days of Prayer for the Displaced in Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Immigration legal program toolbox
Central States

Immigration Educational Program, Brownsville, TX.

The Immigration Education Coordinator (IEC), Ana Hinojosa, is responsible for leading the work of MCC Central States within the program area of immigration education. This includes facilitating educational workshops in Texas that are geared toward Latino/a populations. She will also work and collaborate with constituency churches, other faith-based organizations, and agencies doing similar work. The IEC will network with the MCC’s Borderlands partners, participate in MCC’s immigration network, and work with local partners and groups to build accountability.    
East Coast

In Florida and New York City, MCC East Coast provides immigration services to members of Anabaptist churches at minimal fees. Throughout the East Coast region, MCC staff are also available to provide education and resources for congregations interested in raising awareness about immigration related issues.  With the supervision of immigration attorneys, immigration counselors assist church members with:

  • naturalization
  • family petitions
  • adjustment of status
  • replacement or renewal of green cards and work permits

The MCC East Coast immigration program also offers educational opportunities. In New York City, counselors hold immigration education clinics several times per year. In Florida, counselors visit area congregations to educate members about immigration-related issues.

In both locations, counselors meet with clients by appointment only. Please contact our offices to schedule an appointment.

South Florida contact: Jorge Vielman, JorgeVielman@mcc.org, (305) 249-3477

New York contact: Maria Aponte, MariaAponte@mcc.org, (347) 608-1925

Great Lakes

MCC is finding ways to welcome our neighbors in northern Indiana and Chicago.

  • MCC staff member Krista Dutt serves as an immigration court watcher through the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants in Chicago.
  • MCC’s newest partnership is with the National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC), an organization out of Chicago providing comprehensive legal services to low-income immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. 
  • MCC has also given a one-time grant to LaCasa in Goshen to help with educational classes for people studying to obtain their citizenship.
  • MCC has been leading immigration learning tours from Great Lakes to the U.S.-Mexico border since 2014 with seven groups participating so far. 
  • MCC offers sponsorships for Great Lakes constituents to attend the immigration law training held several times a year at the MCC U.S. headquarters in Akron, Pa. 
  • There have also been several internships for students in the Goshen office.

For information about having MCC staff speak to your congregation or group, contact Kelly Shenk Koontz, MCC Great Lakes Program Director at KellyShenkKoontz@mcc.org or 574.742.2639.

West Coast

West Coast MCC’s Immigration initiative contributes to the flourishing of immigrant populations affiliated with constituent churches by providing immigration documentation services; educating congregations about immigration issues; and engaging in witness to the state about injustices inherent in US immigration policies. Given its limited resources, WCMCC focuses on providing education and documentation services to constituent churches in the region whose members and their families face the realities of US immigration law on a daily basis.  By providing documentation services and education WCMCC enables individuals and families to live full lives as residents, fully aware of their legal rights and responsibilities.

Building upon its experience in providing direct services, WCMCC engages in advocacy at the local and national level concerning the injustices within US immigration policy. WCMCC’s message to public officials is grounded in the reality experienced by immigrants and immigrant families across the region.  WCMCC brings the voice of immigrant congregations to policy makers and calls upon them to develop and enforce laws in ways that respect the dignity of immigrant

 

Related West Coast programs

Young Adult

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