When a cup of water becomes a crime

This week I have been attending side events which are part of the 50th Session of the UNCSW. It has been an educational and challenging experience. The Anglican Consultative Council has sponsored over 100 women from the US and around the world as delegates. I've listened to women from Africa talk about the trafficking of women and girls in Los Angeles, watched a documentary about women from Iran who are forced into prostitution due to poverty and then punished for their illegal "job", listened to panelists discuss the role of women in decision making processes and peace making missions, and met women from many countries. I'm privileged to live in NY and have the opportunity to attend an event like this.

Unrelated to the UNCSW, but in the same building was a meeting sponsored by Episcopal Migration Ministries. The director of Annunciation House spoke about the work they are doing on the US-Mexican boarder. He told powerful stories of immigrants who risk life and limb to cross the boarder. We often hear from popular sources that the boarder is a "national safety" concern with drug dealers and terrorists using it as a highway for criminal activity. What we don't hear about are the hard-working families who cannot survive on the extremely low wages they earn in Mexico and so attempt the life-threatening track into the US in hopes of starting a new life. Or the story of Shanti and Daniel, two volunteers with NO MORE DEATHS were arrested and prosecuted for helping migrants they found badly dehydrated in the Arizona desert.

In the US, it is a crime to help someone in need?!!!

As a faith community we have moral obligation to help those who in need. Make your voice heard if you are concerned with the plight of immigrants and the moral decline of our society if we continue to oppress the poor of God's world. Urge the U.S. Senate to Support Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform