How Can You Help Immigrants?

        	              

What can you do? Here’s a start:



1. Educate yourself on immigration matters. 





	a. Find out what the laws are.
	





		i. Library, internet: http://www.uscis.gov/, http://www.google.com/.
		



		ii. Buy current books on immigration law.
		





	b. Read, ask questions, and call about specific cases.
	





		i. National Customer Service Center (NCSC) number: (800) 375-5283.
		



		ii. The majority of law firms that have a Web site include news items that can be read.
		



		iii. News on the internet is informative and a great resource!
		




2. Be compassionate. 





	a. Provide a listening ear—be a safe place where people can confide.
	



	b. Help carry the emotional stress.
	



	c. Give hope, if only as friends.
	



	d. Be a voice for immigrants—understand there are many scenarios.
	





		i. Parents of US born children and children who grew up in US and have no ties with parent’s country of birth.
		



		ii. Teenagers who would like to go to college.
		



		iii. Abused married women.
		



		iv. Women and children brought here to work.
		




3. Help people organize and plan. 





	a. Some have an opportunity but need time and good planning.
	



	b. Help people live the best way possible in this country.
	



	c. Help them download and fill out papers: http://www.uscis.gov/ (top left “Immigration Forms”—scroll down until you find the form number).
	



	d. Provide English classes.
	




4. Find local resources to help people. 





	a. Coalitions and organizations that help immigrants in local area.
	





		i. Ask for their newsletters and updates.
		



		ii. Become a volunteer.
		





	b. Find attorneys that are willing to give free advice.
	





		i. Talk to the attorney; find out what they do best.
		



		ii. They should have at least 5 years experience in immigration.
		



		iii. They should be up front with fees and costs—most people are willing to pay, but many are deceived.
		





	c. Provide transportation—small towns usually don’t have resources nearby.
	




5. Teach people their rights and responsibilities. 





	a. Provide classes and ask the experts to educate the community and/or church.
	



	b. Discourage people from getting false ID’s.
	



	c. Help them to deal with the truth and not to fear.
	




6. Show them the way to Christ—if God put them in our path, we have the privilege of sharing the message of salvation.


  



Download this How Can We Help Immigrants list for your small group or church ministry. 


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