Isaac S. Villegas, pastor of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where Rosa del Carmen Ortez-Cruz is in sanctuary, said: “This administration knows no bounds in its desire for vindictive punishment of beloved members of our community, like Rosa.”
Rev. Joel Miller, Pastor of Columbus (OH) Mennonite Church where Edith Espinal is in sanctuary, said: “Hospitality for immigrants is fundamental to our faith. These exorbitant fines directed at those in sanctuary again demonstrate that our government is actively pursuing vulnerable persons and families. People of faith will continue to live out our convictions that families are sacred and God’s love knows no borders.”
As the Interfaith Immigration Coalition recently explained, the Trump administration’s immigration policy violates religious canons of diverse faiths, which tell us to love the stranger as we would God.
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries with The United Church of Christ, said: “While the Trump administration continues to violate human dignity and our core religious beliefs, faithful Americans are standing in the gap. No group is more emblematic of this than the Sanctuary congregations. Their love, commitment, and advocacy is directly in line with our religious calling to love one another as God loves us. I want to send a message to all immigrants living in fear today: we see you, we love you, and we will continue to advocate for your right to human dignity and family unity.”
“A tactic like this is not surprising, coming from the Stephen Miller White House, but it is pure evil. This financial assault on immigrants and sanctuary brings our nation to yet another new low. Understand, this is not an attack on immigrants alone, it is an attack on the humanitarian movement,” said Faith Williams, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at the National Council of Jewish Woman, and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition. “It is in line with prosecuting aid workers for following their religious beliefs, and harassing immigration lawyers trying to defend their clients in court. ‘The rule of law’ means reasonable laws are fairly enforced. The Trump administration is a lawless, immoral, unhinged administration that will stop at nothing–even death–to exact a toll on immigrants’ lives.”
Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of CWS, said: “CWS strongly opposes ICE’s decision to target immigrants claiming Sanctuary and the religious communities that welcome them. Our Christian mandate is clear. The Bible calls us to love the least of these, to ‘not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.’ (Hebrews 13:2). We are called on to ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ (Zechariah 7:9-11). ICE’s intimidation tactics are an attack on our deeply held religious values. Today and every day, CWS stands in solidarity with all Sanctuary congregations and individuals claiming Sanctuary.”
Ron Byler, Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee U.S. said, “From biblical times, houses of worship have provided sanctuary to those seeking safety in the face of oppression. Mennonite Churches today are following in that tradition by offering sanctuary to mothers who would otherwise be separated from their children. Instead of separating families, our leaders should be working to create legal pathways to citizenship for our immigrant sisters and brothers who are vital members of our communities.”
“The recent fines issued to immigrants in sanctuary are the latest anti-immigrant strategy from the Trump Administration. This bullying tactic is intended to strike fear and despair into the hearts of immigrants. It is also designed to break down the community that has gathered to support them. As Christians, we reject these efforts. We remember that Jesus calls us to welcome the stranger – when we do this, we welcome Him. We oppose fining the Jesus whom we see in our migrant siblings,” said Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Chair, United Methodist Immigration Task Force.
Sister Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director, Franciscan Action Network stated: “I thought we had seen the worst that this administration could inflict on immigrants, but this outrageous action against Sanctuary congregations and immigrants proves me wrong. Sanctuary congregations are living up to their faith values in a most courageous and generous way as they ‘welcome the stranger,’ providing safety and support. The administration knows well that no immigrant has funds to pay an exorbitant fine. FAN stands with Sanctuary congregations and immigrants with love, prayer, and continued commitment to advocate with them.”
“The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness strongly opposes these financial attacks on immigrant persons and sanctuary churches. They are not only a horrendous attack on vulnerable populations, but they are also directly against God’s commandment to love and serve one another. As Presbyterians, we believe that we serve God by taking care of God’s children (c.f. Matthew 25:40),” said Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness. “We stand in solidarity with all immigrant persons and sanctuary churches, and continue to advocate for reformed, humane immigration policy.”
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 52 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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