news article
FJUMC serves as Guatemalan Consulate for hundreds of immigrants
October 3, 2024 / By Beth Jordan, Faith Journey UMC member
Faith Journey United Methodist Church (FJUMC) got the unique opportunity to serve as a meeting place for hundreds of Guatemalans immigrating to the United States. The church was contacted by the New York State Immigration Coalition as a possible location for an upcoming event over the summer and the community events planner inquired about renting space in the Clay area.
Over time, we learned a Guatemalan Consulate would be in the U.S. in July and the New York State Immigration Coalition was searching for community spaces outside of New York City that were close to highways and large enough to host such an event. We initially thought we’d have approximately 300 immigrants in attendance, but the number was much larger.
FJUMC volunteers assisted up to 750 Guatemalan immigrants in gaining access to identification cards and passports and, with some, beginning the process of becoming legal citizens. We recognized our FJUMC members who assisted in hosting the multiple days. These volunteers provided prayers and support.
In addition to the consulate, we had immigration lawyers and many church members available to welcome visitors to our church from July 19-20, 2024. There were food trucks, food tents, and vendors available over the two-day event to educate those in attendance of services that were available.
Through its official networks, the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry reported, “In the first half of 2024, Minex has strengthened access to consular services, providing 631,682 documentation services and 427,516 consular assistance to Guatemalans abroad.” Click here to read more in Spanish.
We have received rave reviews on how organized the event planners were and how nice and respectful our volunteers were. Faith Journey would love to have the opportunity to do this again.