Bishops and clergy from religious institutions of El Paso Interreligious Sponsoring Organization (EPISO) and Border Interfaith are calling for additional protection of the tens of thousands unaccompanied Central American children that are at the Texas border.

In a press conference in El Paso, Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz reviewed a letter signed by hundreds of clergy, and addressed to the President and to Congress, detailing specific recommendations regarding the treatment of unaccompanied children at the border.  Clergy leaders want the White House to preserve the protections established in the Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Act of 2008 for those that arrive on our border seeking refuge, provision of legal assistance to any minor under 18 years of age, and attention to the religious needs of the children and family by granting clergy access to US Border Patrol detention facilities and the US Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Border Interfaith and EPISO leaders emphasized that Congress must reject efforts to expedite processing of these children.  [Photo Credit: Juan Torres, El Diario]

Clergy Members Push for Trafficking Protection in Letter to President, Congress, KFOXTV

Catolicos Piden a la Casa Blanca Ayuda Para Ninos Inmigrantes, Univision

Religiosos Exigen en EP Soluciones al Congreso y a Obama, El Diario