“Each of us is a cherished beloved of God — let us craft immigration policy that remembers that”
Guatemala City – “Do not come. Do not come. The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our border.” Those were the words Vice President Kamala Harris spoke, and wanted the world to hear, in her trip to Guatemala this week.
It is not “illegal” to seek asylum in the United States. It is immoral to fail to see people seeking asylum for what they are–human beings who never planned to become “refugees,” but have been forced to flee or watch their children die. Recognizing this reality, the only way to address it is through a humane, orderly path to safety.
Following are quotes from Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) members.
Luis Marcos, Co-Executive Director of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, responded: “Vice President Harris’ callous words to the people of Guatemala and to the Maya Nation, first, ignore that Guatemala as a State is on Maya Territory by virtue of the International Legal Construct know as the Doctrine of Discovery. Secondly, her words ignore the U.S.’ obligations under international law, as well as its moral obligation to humanity. This includes its commitment to respecting the right of the persecuted to seek asylum as refugees, and Indigenous People’s pre-existing rights to migrate as recognized in article 36 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It’s far past time for the US to recognize its role in driving people from their homes in Central America, and live up to its responsibility under international law.”
Said Margaret Conley, Director, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team: “The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas join with people of faith across many denominations in calling upon the Biden administration to take bold, decisive action to confront the conditions that dehumanize our immigrant sisters and brothers. This includes an in-depth assessment of our foreign policy which contributes significantly to the conditions that drive people from their homes. This assessment must include input from human rights and land defenders as well as indigenous leaders in the region. We stand in solidarity with immigrants seeking fullness of life, including asylum-seekers, DACA recipients, TPS and DED holders. The time for action is NOW.
Katie Adams, Domestic Policy Advocate for the United Church of Christ, said: “It’s impossible to have it both ways – one can not exclude and be welcoming at the same time. Our country has to imagine a world that offers home and refuge to people seeking safety and family. Reflecting a true commitment to a just world would be policies that welcome asylum seekers, halt deadly deportations, and take actionable steps toward a functional and fair immigration system. The promise offered by the gospel is unconditional love, and anything less tramples on the hope offered by the gospel. Each of us is a cherished beloved of God – let us craft immigration policy that remembers that above all else.”
“People seeking immigration protection in the United States are not looking for expeditious processing at the expense of a safe, humane and just process, like that proposed by the Biden administration in recent days. Until we stop Title 42 expulsions that prevent people from making their asylum claims, we will not have a safe and just process. Until we roll back all of the previous administration’s anti-asylum precedents and make community-based support available, we will not have a safe and just process. The goals of our asylum system should not be fast tracking cases, but ensuring access to counsel and due process and treating people with dignity. The consequence of getting this wrong is a literal death sentence for people fleeing violence, persecution and other horrors,” added Luis Guerra, strategic capacity officer for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC).
Said Ann Scholz, SSND, Associate Director for Social Mission, LCWR: “The God of abundant love calls us to welcome the stranger and our national history and values challenge us to offer protection to those in need. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) invites President Biden and Vice President Harris to join us as we strive to actualize the radical love that lies at the heart of our shared faith and heritage. We urge the Biden administration to seize this historic moment to ensure justice for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers by addressing the root causes of forced migration, establishing a path to citizenship for 11 million of our neighbors, reuniting families, demilitarizing our borders, and decriminalizing our immigration system.”
RESOURCES
- Sixty-five high-level faith leaders call on President Biden to end Title 42 expulsions
- Over 700 faith leaders and nearly 100 groups denounce “reprehensible” expulsions and deportations of Black immigrants by the Biden administration’s continuation of Trump-era policies
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 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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