PC(USA) advocacy director says, ‘We recommit to solidarity as we live into hope and faith that God is making a way’
by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service
Photo by Ra-dragon via Unsplash
LOUISVILLE — The transition taking place at the White House has prompted an interfaith coalition that includes the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to issue a statement reaffirming its commitment to advocating for immigrants, refugees and other newcomers seeking to make a home in the United States.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, which is comprised of more than 56 national, faith-based organizations, released a statement Thursday expressing its solidarity with the vulnerable and showing its concern about the potential impact of Donald Trump returning to office.
“Understanding that the policies that may be in store in the next administration — mass deportation, family separation, curtailing access to protection from persecution — may profoundly impact families and vulnerable people on the move and at the border, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition recommits to the critical work of accompaniment, solidarity and action alongside immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, TPS beneficiaries and others impacted,” the coalition stated in a news release.
During his bid for the presidency, Trump claimed that migrants were “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised mass deportations. He has further shown his commitment to an anti-immigration agenda by selecting Tom Homan, his former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his new “border czar,” stating, “There is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders” and noting that Homan will be “in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”
Amid this climate, the coalition remains steadfastly committed to working “across differences to find common ground and pursue just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual,” and is planning to continue “raising the moral voice with clarity, courage, and conviction,” according to the release.
The coalition’s statement is accompanied by quotes from concerned immigration advocates and religious leaders, such as the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, who noted that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a long history of welcoming immigrants into its congregations and ministering alongside newcomers.
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins (Photo by Rich Copley)
“As Presbyterians, we believe in a God who promises, ‘I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,’” said Hawkins, who leads the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, quoting from Isaiah 43:19b. “Today, we rededicate our call to be with immigrant, migrant, and refugee siblings as the wilderness and desert surround them. Today, we recommit to solidarity as we live into hope and faith that God is making a way. We will sit with (and shout with) our immigrant siblings during this time, seeking dignity, protection, and security.”
Others showing their solidarity include Rick Santos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Church World Service.
“As we prepare to usher in a second Trump Administration, CWS stands firmly with our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and vulnerable families around the world — as well as people of faith and conscience across the nation who support them,” Santos said. “We will never stop working to defend our nation’s tradition of compassion and welcome, and to protect the rights of the most vulnerable.”
Santos also is calling for others to speak up.
“We ask for our supporters, neighbors and friends to make their voices heard and to join us in calling for the new administration to maintain the programs and policies that support newcomers and to reject misinformation and fearmongering about immigrant and refugee communities,” Santos said. “Together we will work to safeguard protection for our immigrant and refugee neighbors and defend pathways to safety and lifesaving aid for families who remain in danger.”
The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations are part of the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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