WASHINGTON, DC – Faith groups from across the United States express their grief about the devastation, fear, and uncertainty that Haitian and Afghan people are feeling, and call on the Biden administration to use the significant power of the U.S. government to protect human life.
Compelled by their faith traditions’ call to speak up for and protect the world’s most vulnerable people, leaders from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition are urging Congress and the Biden Administration to halt deportations and expulsions to Haiti; return any Haitians who were eligible for TPS to the United States; welcome Haitian asylum seekers; create a robust humanitarian response to assist Afghans in danger, and expand opportunities for Afghans to seek refuge in the United States.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti and Afghanistan this week,” stated Stephen Schneck, Executive Director of Franciscan Action Network. “The conditions of insecurity, political upheaval, and violence already present in Haiti were only further exacerbated by the destructive earthquake, making the need for humanitarian protections all the more urgent. Similarly, Afghan nationals – particularly those who worked alongside US forces and have been waiting for evacuation – find themselves in desperate need of protection after the Taliban takeover this week. Both situations have caused countless deaths, untold suffering, and widespread displacement. As Franciscans, we heed the biblical call in Matthew 25 to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. As a nation of welcome, we must do our part to provide refuge and keep our international neighbors safe.”
“In the face of devastation and turmoil at the loss of life and security so many are facing in Haiti and Afghanistan, a common thread can be found in our collective mourning—and that is an urgent cry for humanitarian action taken not for the promotion of any country but rather as an answer to the question: how do we care for one another?” stated Katie Adams, Domestic Policy Advocate, United Church of Christ. “The Biden Administration, equipped with the vast resources of the United States government must do all it can to ensure those fleeing violence and persecution from the Taliban in Afghanistan are offered refuge and assistance. They must also immediately stop the deportation and expulsions to Haiti and instead offer asylum and opportunity to Haitian asylum seekers.”
Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries said, “Faith communities share deepest grief and stand in solidarity with partners in both Haiti and Afghanistan who have faced compounded tragedies over decades–and whose suffering has been magnified again through horrific events this week. With the words of the Psalmist, we believe that ‘the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit’ (Ps. 34:18). Yet, even with unwavering faith in God’s compassion, we likewise urge for greater compassion to be expressed by our nation’s leaders. For Haitians and Afghans, we seek swift granting of humanitarian parole, DED, and TPS protections to those in danger. For Afghans, we urge refugee assistance for our long faithful Afghan military partners, and for Haitians, we seek an immediate halt to the inhumane deportation flights which – even still last week – continued to expel Haitians seeking protection into the mouth of danger and unrest.”
“For far too long, Haiti has experienced the ravages of militarism, colonialism, and disaster after disaster. Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti, and we call on the U.S. to stop deportations and instead acknowledge the dire need for humanitarian protections that Haitian nationals are expressing within the U.S and at the border,” stated IIC partners at the American Friends Service Committee. Regarding the crisis in Afghanistan, they added, “we support people’s efforts to leave the country to find safety or seek a better life, and also call for the rights of those who remain to be respected and protected. The U.S government has a responsibility – after decades of military occupation, war, and lies – to assist Afghans wishing to emigrate, and to provide them asylum in the United States.”
“The confluence of these two events—the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the earthquake in Haiti—make this a heartrending week,” said Susan Gunn, Director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. “The images and stories of suffering coming from Afghanistan and Haiti echo in our hearts and minds, prompting us to pray with Jesus’ words on the cross: ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’ With utmost urgency we call on the Biden administration to take immediate action to address the suffering of our brothers and sisters abroad, by providing generous humanitarian aid and opportunities for refuge in the United States for those fleeing violence and destruction. All deportations to Haiti must immediately halt and the evacuation of vulnerable Afghans must be top priority. There is not a moment to lose.”
“Our government owes a debt of service to the Afghan people, not to mention a moral responsibility to help the women and children of Afghanistan who are now in imminent danger. And at the same moment, our government has a duty to our neighboring Haitians who are once again experiencing disaster. The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd calls on President Biden to evacuate and immediately welcome those in danger in Afghanistan and Haiti. Our Catholic faith calls us to welcome and offer safe harbor,” said Fran Eskin-Royer, Executive Director of the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
“We lift up in prayer all those facing the repercussions of natural disasters and violent conflict in Haiti and Afghanistan. We have a moral responsibility to welcome people who have no other choice but to migrate toward safety.” Rev. Noel Andersen, Director of Grassroots Organizing at Church World Service added, “We’re asking the administration to urgently evacuate Afghan allies and their loved ones and other Afghans in need of protection, such as Afghan women and children, religious minorities, humanitarian workers, people with disabilities, and others. We also ask for an immediate halt to deportations and expulsions to Haiti. We implore the administration to implement a robust humanitarian response to assist Afghans and Haitians – and expand opportunities to seek refuge in the United States. Our faith calls us to take action in solidarity fleeing violence, injustice, and disaster.”
BACKGROUND: On August 14, a 7.2 earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti, resulting in devastating damage to several cities and an unknown number of injuries and fatalities—coming on the heels of the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and thousands of wrongful deportations of Haitians during the Biden administration. In Afghanistan, following the planned withdrawal of the U.S. and other nations, Taliban forces took control of Kabul, sparking widespread panic about the safety of the Afghan people, reprisal for U.S. affiliated Afghan nationals, and ongoing displacement of countless others, particularly the most vulnerable, including women, girls, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and religious and minority groups.
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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