As most of you know, on Thursday night President Obama made an Executive Order which will affect the lives of thousands of people who have been in a relative ‘no mans land’ or ‘pergatory’ while dealing with the US immigration process. Yes, I am fully aware that anything that our current president does is going to cause people to have immediate reactions (especially in the area where I call home) some will love it – some will hate it. But I from my point of view this move is trying to help people. I believe that trying to open the process for people to apply in a legal way that will not immediately mean they need to leave and or be separated from their families is probably a good thing.
With this is mind, the ELCA Conference of Bishops has put our a statement in light of the President’s recent actions. I am a member of this group and I support this statement – I have signed on to this statement – and thus I am sharing it with you. The main thrust of this document is to remind all of us that God continually calls for us to care for the “sojourners”, “wanderers”, or “strangers in your land”. These are all ways different translations of the Bible deal with the concept of the immigrant. We are called to be hospitable and realize that all people are created and loved by God.
The statement is below.
Immigration Statement
November 20, 2014
Conference of Bishops Evangelical Lutheran Church in America …
As people of faith and leaders of the church, we support public policy that protects children, reunites families, and cares for the most vulnerable, regardless of their place of birth.
The treatment of immigrants is a core religious value. To welcome the stranger is to welcome a child of God.
In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger, for “just as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40)
Each day in our congregations and in our service to the community, we see the consequences of this broken immigration system: separated families, children returning home to find their parents have been deported, and the exploitation of undocumented workers.
By removing the threat of deportation for many people, we are showing compassion for people who have been here for years, working hard to provide for their families, obeying the law, and contributing to the fabric of our community.
While today’s action addresses a pressing need, it does not provide a path to citizenship, establish policies that prioritize family unity, or create more efficient channels for entry of new migrant workers. Our hope is that congress will address these and related issues, including the practice of family detention, which undermines our values as a people of faith and a nation of welcome.
The Scriptures consistently show a significant concern for immigrants:
When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)
The positive role of immigrants in our history, economy and our community is unmistakable. We support this compassionate first step toward reforming an immigration system that is flawed and requires many of our neighbors to live in the shadows in fear.
The ELCA Conference of Bishops
Point To Christ - a blog of Bishop Michael Rhyne 