Asylum-seeking family stopped pedestrian bridge in Mexico by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol - Summer 2018 —Photo by: Lenna Baxter
As thousands of migrants continue their trek through Central America toward the U.S. border, the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging national leaders to change their stance on those seeking asylum in this country.
Yesterday, President Donald Trump said he is working on a plan that would prevent immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally, from receiving asylum. He also emphasized that asylum-seekers would not be released on U.S. soil.
“This administration’s plans for those on their way go against this nation’s global agreements and asylum laws, and our call, as followers of Christ, to welcome the newcomer and love our neighbor,” said Nelson. “This plan will make our nation smaller. This plan will keep us from being a blessing and from being blessed.”
The President also said U.S. troops would “fight back” if immigrants throw stones when they reach the southern border. The President referred to reported clashes between authorities and members of the caravan as they crossed the Guatemalan border into Mexico.
Nelson said migration is a right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adding that the church is called to respond with “radical love and hospitality.”
“Making an already unjustly complicated system even more difficult will harm many. To inflict harm on our siblings in Christ, to attempt to make us believe we must fear them, is not who we are called to be,” he said.
In recent weeks, the President has threatened to shut down the borders and end funding to countries that allow the caravan to pass through. As many as 7,000 troops could be sent to the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Pentagon. The President has said the number of troops could double if needed.
Read the full statement of the Stated Clerk below.
“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped” (Proverbs 11:24–25, MSG).
Siblings in Christ, we are called upon again today to request that our government treat the whole of humanity with freedom, dignity, and love, as we learn of its plan for our Southern Border.
Migration is a right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The need to migrate because of danger in one’s home country is recognized in our nation’s asylum laws. We, as a body of faith, know that our ancestors both chose to and had to leave their lands because of genocide, family ties, and to answer the call of the Lord. This administration’s plans for those on their way goes against this nation’s global agreements and asylum laws, and our call, as followers of Christ, to welcome the newcomer and love our neighbor. This plan will make our nation smaller. This plan will keep us from being a blessing and from being blessed.
Yesterday, our President called this nation’s asylum system a “loophole.” Yet, this church has witnessed how difficult it is when we, our friends, and our family encounter the asylum system. We had church policy demanding a fairer and more humane system that honors due process. Making an already unjustly complicated system even more difficult will harm many. To inflict harm on our siblings in Christ, to attempt to make us believe we must fear them, is not who we are called to be.
In these seasons of division and fear, we are called to respond with radical love and hospitality. We were also strangers in a strange land, and yet God did not forsake us[1]. And God will not abandon those seeking safety, protection, and refuge in another land. We have laws in place that allow for such welcome. May we stand up to allow those laws to work in tandem with their need. Is this not a time for us to reach from within to show God’s light to the world and not hide our flames under a bushel? We, as followers of Christ, we can and will do better. I invite each of you to prayer, reflection, and action as we discern God’s call, and may we respond from a place of radical love united in God’s mercy for God’s people. We pray that the Spirit will lead all of our politicians beyond political posturing towards a disposition of affirming all people as worthy of freedom, dignity, and love.
The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)