Jesus Lounge Ministry supports immigrant members and their families

By Founa I. Augustin Badet

This summer, Jesus Lounge Ministry, an Atlantic Southeast District church in Delray Beach, Fla., has been very active in supporting members and their families with their paperwork and immigration documentation.

The help from the congregation has included completing the recent forms to adjust their status in the country, such as residency, temporary protection services (tps), work permits, and citizenship. Referrals have been made to the denomination’s Deportation Defense Response program for asylum questions and legal counsel, as well as student visas.

Pastor Founa Badet went a few steps further by accompanying members to their citizenship appointments for support and was even allowed to translate for one. Out of three families, two received their citizenship in the United States.

The ministry continues to work with the congregation and the Deportation Defense Response for immigration education and precautions by encouraging members to carry their legal documents with them at all times and making copies to the cloud, just in case.

We are hopeful in prayer for the safety of all families dealing with immigration insecurity. God bless us all!

— Rev. Founa I. Augustin Badet serves as pastor of the Jesus Lounge Ministry and also serves on the denominational level as director of Intercultural Ministries in the Discipleship and Leadership Formation department of the Church of the Brethren.