Instead of preparing our country for an impending natural disaster, the Trump administration is creating more disasters for families and communities. In Mississippi, the administration just carried out the largest mass arrest of immigrant workers in recent history, leaving children without parents. The operation took a year to plan and involved 600 agents–a massive expenditure of U.S. tax dollars.
This administration’s priorities for spending hard-earned tax dollars are absolutely immoral.
“The Bible calls us to care for all those in need, yet the administration’s decision to defy Congress and take money away from disaster survivors during the peak of Hurricane season and provide it to an institution that has repeatedly proven it does not have the best interest of human lives as a priority – especially children’s lives – hurts everyone. Additionally, it sets up a false competition, as if in order to meet the needs of families on the move, we have to ‘take away’ from disaster survivors here at home. As a Christian, this is wrong. As an American, this is wrong,” said Amanda K. Sheldon, Program Associate, UCC Refugee Ministries & UCC Disaster Ministries. “As someone who works with our churches on both disaster response and refugee and asylum issues, this makes no sense and, again, hurts everyone.”
“Hurricane Dorian has already slammed the Virgin Islands, strengthening as it threatens Florida and the east coast. Disaster relief will be needed, yet the Trump administration plunders FEMA to fund immigrant detention practices. Franciscan Action Network decries the transfer of funds by the Trump administration as an abuse of authority made to bolster anti-immigrant policies. This transfer of funds, by-passing Congress, is not only grave mismanagement of tax-payer money, but indicates a total disregard of human lives, both those suffering from hurricane damage, and lives of immigrant children and families. It is an immoral decision,” declared Sr. Marie Lucey, FAN Associate Director.
For more on the moral choices involved in federal funding decisions, see this letter to Congress from religious organizations, this memo, this backgrounder on cost-effective alternatives to detention, and this set of border policy recommendations from faith communities.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 53 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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