“The Lord watches over the sojourner and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” — Psalm 146:9
the Bible has much to say about our responsibility to the immigrant. As Presbyterians, we belong to a tradition that believes in the sovereignty of God over all people. We are bound together and share an identity rooted in the Imago Dei- the image of God. Our ancestors in the faith from Abraham to Jesus, and even those Presbyterians that first came to the America's were displaced people, often seeking a new land to worship freely or to be free from want.
The MPI (Migration Policy Institute) has released a report "The Deportation Dilemma: Reconciling Tough and Humane Enforcement" on the Obama Administration's immigration enforcement record. The report analyzed the US deportation system over the last two decades. It specifically examined the tension between strict government enforcement (a record level of removals under President Obama) and a push for more humane treatment of unauthorized people that have lived in our country for a long time. The report some concerning issues, not only have over 4.5 million people been removed, but over 75% of deportations were handled via summary removal, that is by enforcement officers and not by judges. The report recommends that the US creates clearer more consistent guidelines for those that don't have criminal ties and have roots in the US, expand judicial oversight, and improve ICE and CBP officer training.
This is not just a humanity issue, it is a faith issue. As Christians with a history of immigration support in our denomination, write congress and the White House today to ask that immigration policy of the United States reflect our faith's call for justice and equity, not just speedy removal.
Letter from Glady's Parson on Immigration Reform
