Welcome to the ELCA AMMPARO blog. For those of you who have discovered this and are not familiar with the ELCA AMMPARO strategy, it the ELCA strategy to accompany migrant children and families with protection, advocacy, representation and opportunities. As a holistic, whole church response, AMMPARO accompanies migrants in countries of origin, transit, destination and return!

We look forward to using this space to share in a deeper and more substantial way, our current analysis of the issues we are facing around immigration issues as well as a place to access the many immigration advocacy initiatives that we are a part of as ELCA AMMPARO. Stories of migrants will also be shared here.

Our hope is that this will lead to greater understanding, increased advocacy and thus justice for these very vulnerable children of God!

The word “amparo” in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. The ELCA’s strategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.