“Dios es nuestro amparo y fortaleza,” (“God is our refuge and strength,”) – Psalm 46:1

AMMPARO is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, to accompany children today and in the future.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.

In a holistic, whole church response that connects international and US outcomes, the ELCA has developed this strategy based on the following commitments:

• Uphold and guarantee basic human rights and safety of migrant children and their families

• Address the root causes of migration in countries from Central America’s Northern Triangle and Mexico and the treatment of migrants in transit

• Work toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the U.S.

• Engage as a church body with all of its companions, affiliates and partners to respond to the migration situation and its causes and to advocate for migrant children and their families