What People of Faith Should Know About the Immigration Crisis
What should people of faith know about the immigration crisis?
We should know enough not to be mislead by political grandstanding and misinformation on social media. Here are six things that can help people of faith understand immigration issues. Most faith traditions do not condone illegal behavior, except in the case of laws which are manifestly immoral, unjust or inhumane. However, most religious traditions believe that every human person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their legal status. Under present circumstances, people of faith should be concerned that immigrants and refugees, whether they are in this country legally or not, are not being treated with dignity and respect. Many, including American citizens, are being deported to prisons in Latin America where they are being confined with gangsters and mass murders. Most faith traditions believe that countries have a right to protect their borders and regulate immigration, but these traditions also believe that individuals have the right to migrate, and countries -- especially wealthy countries like ours -- should honor that right. Under the present law, it is very difficult for migrants to exercise this right and to enter the United States legally as many of our ancestors did. In fact, for many it is virtually impossible to enter the country legally in a reasonable and timely fashion. In recent years, certain immigrants and refugees have been allowed to enter the country on a provisional basis while their request for permanent residence was being decided, a process which can take years. These immigrants and refugees include those on humanitarian parole such as our Afghan allies, refugees from Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela; those with deferred action as childhood arrivals or special juvenile status; women who were the victims of violence in their home countries; and undocumented immigrants in this country who were the victims of a crime or human trafficking. These immigrants were not illegal and they had documentation which supported their presence. Under present circumstances the federal government has revoked most of these protections. > Find a summary of the latest federal actions on immigration here. Most religious traditions believe that the integrity and protection of families is a primary social and moral obligation of every society. People of faith should object to laws and regulations like mass deportations which separate families and leave children orphaned. We should also be concerned that under present circumstances children who were born in this country will no longer be recognized as natural citizens, a right which is protected by the Constitution. Contrary to what we hear on some news programs and in social media, people of faith should realize that immigrants are not freeloaders who are taking advantage of our country’s broken immigration system. It is more true to say that they and their families are victims of that system. The facts show that immigrants as a whole contribute as much to the country’s economy through employment and taxes than they receive in the form of social services from local, state or federal agencies. Many industries, including agriculture, are dependent on migrant workers and will be harmed by mass deportations. For many years, religious groups and immigrant advocates have lobbied for comprehensive reform of our immigration system. Elements of comprehensive reform would include secure borders, protections for those seeking asylum or refuge, a timely and reasonable path to citizenship for immigrants already in this country and those seeking to enter the country, and targeted, proportional and humane enforcement policies. Political leaders have resisted this kind of reform because the present broken system serves various political purposes even though it does not protect our borders, does not recognize the right of people to migrate, and contributes to an unjust atmosphere of suspicion and hostility toward immigrants and refugees in general. > Learn more about comprehensive immigration reform here. Could you help? Detention or deportation of an immigrant or refugee can leave families in a state of emergency. Cedar Valley Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights maintains a secure list of people willing to help immigrant and refugee families in an emergency. > Indicate how you could help here.