“This is Welcome” is a multi-media project by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition to showcase incredible stories of welcome from faith communities not heard on mainstream media tied with actionable steps and educational resources from member organizations and partners.

Its history is in faith-based resistance to anti-asylum policies ( previously Faith4Asylum.com ). Since 2016, the asylum crackdown has continued and there have been countless measures to curtail access and deny even the most basic due process rights. Until now, lawmakers in Washington D.C. have fallen short of delivering the immigration solutions we need to modernize the immigration system and that would help our communities thrive. Through conflating immigration to border policy, anti-asylum policies have brought irreparable harm to people in highly vulnerable situations, including children, women, LGBTQIA+, religious minorities, and others seeking refuge. #ThisIsWelcome is about capturing the power of stories to mobilize support among faith communities for immigration solutions that work for all members of society.

The United States’ national values and traditions speak in support of welcome. Historically, people of faith have been compelled by their sacred texts and traditions to seek just refugee and immigration policies and to welcome the stranger. Together, we must insist that elected representatives see the full humanity of those seeking refuge–and urge them to create opportunities for families to come to the U.S. and contribute to our nation, advance international peace and conflict prevention, and to demand a pathway to citizenship for those with deep ties to the U.S.