Who we are: We are a joint project of The Friends Meeting of Washington (FMW) and the Washington National Cathedral Sanctuary Ministry (WNCSM). Volunteers in our group train with the American Bar Association’s two-and one-half hour on-line training module. Our goal is to show solidarity with our immigrant neighbors by our presence in court. We are not neutral observers.

We stand in solidarity with our neighbors, many of whom experience extreme anxiety and fear on the day of their court appearance. We are not attorneys, but we can talk with respondents during court breaks and in the hallways, console them and listen to their stories. Some volunteers pray with respondents when requested to do so. Several of us join with members of St. Camillus Roman Catholic Church (Silver Spring, MD) in a prayer witness at the court entrance every other Thursday prior to the start of afternoon sessions. Prayer witness members greet immigrants entering and leaving the court building and, if requested, pray with them.

Observers: During July 2026 we observed 15 hearings in the court, including three “mega” master hearings. Court monitors included: Gwinneth Clarkson (Saint John’s, Lafayette Square), Martin Dickinson (Washington National Cathedral), Sarah Jones (Saint George’s, Glenn Dale, MD), Deacon Lesley Krauland (Saint Andrew’s, College Park, MD), Jim Bell, and Patricia Murphy (both Friends Meeting of Washington).

Report distribution list: We write a monthly report with the date, names of the Judge, observers, and DHS attorney, and notes on the case, exchanges, and actions. In addition to WNCSM and FMW, our reports are distributed to AMICA Center for Immigrant Rights, CASA de Maryland, Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at the University of the District of Columbia, Just Neighbors, Kids In Need of Neighbors (KIND), International Rescue Committee, and the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project (MILAP), all of which provide legal consultation and assistance to respondents in the Hyattsville Immigration Court.

Orientation: In July 2026, we continued to monitor whether judges are providing respondents with an opportunity for orientation to immigration court and their rights. While judges are providing respondents with information about their rights and responsibilities and explain the process of immigration court, they do not inform the respondents about the availability of a more formal orientation, and they do not use the term “orientation.”

New Development: Judge Irma Diaz informed respondents that owing to a class action in CA, certain immigrants illegally detained may seek relief on bond or parole.

To learn more or request regular reports contact: Jim Bell, Friends Meeting of Washington, 240-413-1229 (Eastern US) or kelleybell21 [at] comcast [dot] net