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Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service advocates for justice for all of America’s newcomers—immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, torture survivors and migrant children. We work within our nation’s halls of power—engaging in dialogue with the White House, federal agencies and legislators—to create a U.S. immigration system that is fair and humane to newcomers.
Are you a concerned advocate for immigrants and refugees?
Get involved by subscribing to receive advocacy updates, action alerts and other periodic e-mails about how to make your voice heard in support of just and humane immigration policies.
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 Portrait: The Rev. Linda Theophilus, Advocate
The Rev. Linda Theophilus, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, is a tireless and passionate advocate for the immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, children and detained people we serve.
Linda became familiar with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service when her former congregation sponsored a family from Laos in the late 1970s. She became actively involved in our mission to serve newcomers over 10 years ago when she continued to see vulnerable migrants pushed into the margins of our society at the mercy of a broken system.
Linda focuses on educating her neighbors in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) about newcomers through the synod’s website and newsletter, local events, speaking engagements and worship services.
As a dedicated advocate, her advice to others seeking to welcome the stranger is “Be persistent!” She encourages everyone she encounters to speak up and speak out about the immigrants and refugees we serve—at every opportunity.
To join Linda and other advocates, please join Stand for Welcome: The LIRS Campaign for Immigration Reform and let your voice be heard.
Click here to see Linda at the 2009 Immigration Ready Bench
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