Dear Friend,

A little more than a month has passed since the expiration of Title 42, the pandemic-era public health measure that was issued more than 2.8 million times to expel migrants from claiming asylum at the U.S. southern border since its implementation in March 2020. In its place, our current Administration has introduced new federal policies that do little to protect vulnerable individuals who are seeking asylum and do even less in the way of offering sustainable, long-term solutions to help repair our nation’s broken immigration system. 

This new rule instituted on May 11 severely restricts the ability of migrants to effectively claim asylum at the U.S. border unless they can demonstrate that they were denied asylum in another country. Additionally, this rule mandates that asylum applicants first make an appointment through a phone app, CBP One, now infamous for its frequent glitches and deficiencies in its facial recognition technology, which has resulted in discriminatory outcomes for hopeful asylum seekers. And while we commend the Administration for expanding legal pathways for individuals seeking temporary safety such as the 2-year Humanitarian Parole program for Afghans, Ukrainians, Venezuelans, and others, Congress will need to take action to ensure these individuals can access a green card and continue investing in themselves and this country since starting a new life in the United States.

While the timeline around Congressional action remains uncertain, it is absolutely certain that Inspiritus, along with members of our local communities, will continue to do the work on the ground to support individuals escaping violence and persecution along every step of their journey to safety and stability. 

One of our newly added programs, Team Libertad, is an exemplary model for how local communities are welcoming asylum seekers in Atlanta. Relying almost entirely on volunteers, Team Libertad depends on compassionate individuals to help serve the 50-100 travelers it greets at the airport on a weekly basis who are leaving the state to reunite with loved ones and wait their day in asylum court.

These travelers are individuals seeking asylum who were recently released from the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport with many emotions and few resources, Team Libertad steps in to welcome them to Atlanta and to help meet any immediate or expressed need such as access to food, a cell phone, or assistance getting to their gate. While the road to asylum approval is long and arduous, these small acts of kindness make a big difference in the lives of the travelers we encounter. 

As we look toward World Refugee Day next week, we invite you to join us in the work we are doing on the ground every day to make our communities a more welcoming place for those in need of humanitarian protection. Here are three things you can do:

Volunteer with Team Libertad in Atlanta: No matter your availability, there are opportunities for you to be a welcomer to weary travelers morning, afternoon, or night. Click here to sign up, or contact Program Coordinator Andrea Espinoza for more information at andrea.espinoza@weinspirit.org

Donate to Team Libertad: Your donations will help cover the costs of meals, backpacks, hygiene items, and other resources necessary to support our work. Click here to donate and please mark “Refugee Services: Team Libertad” as the recipient of your donation.

Attend a World Refugee Day Celebration: No matter where you are located, Inspiritus is hosting events at all four of our resettlement sites. On June 20th, we will be celebrating in Nashville, Birmingham, and Savannah, while June 25th will mark our 10th annual Clarkston celebration. Check out the graphics below for more details on where and when your local celebration will take place.