High-Level Virginia Faith Leaders Call on Elected Officials and Community Leaders to Refuse to Participate in Deportation Efforts that Violate Human Rights 

From the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy:

High-Level Virginia faith leaders call on elected officials and community leaders to refuse to participate in deportation efforts that violate human rights
Richmond, VA – Judicatory religious leaders who oversee thousands of houses of worship across the Commonwealth have joined the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy in issuing a statement calling on elected officials and community leaders to implement humane immigration policies in Virginia and across the U.S. These faith leaders are requesting a peaceful, humanity-centered approach to immigration policy and implementation.

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, co-executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, said, “During a time when significant changes in our country’s immigration policies and practices are being discussed with the incoming presidential administration, we believe it is important for the faith leaders of Virginia to collectively call for peace and compassion.”

The statement points out a special concern for the faith community: “Of special concern to us are reported methods of detention and deportation that might include raids on churches, houses of worship, hospitals, schools, and other locations associated with meeting basic human needs. Moreover, the threat of separating children from their parents as a means of punishment or deterrence is exceptionally reprehensible.”

TEXT OF JUDICATORY LEADERS’ STATEMENT

“As faith leaders representing diverse faith traditions in the Commonwealth, we stand united in our unwavering commitment to the dignity and humanity of all people. Guided by the principles of justice, compassion, and mercy, we call for immigration policies and practices that honor the inherent worth of every individual. While we recognize the lawful right of nations to monitor and control their borders, we also recognize that in many ways our current U.S. immigration laws do not uphold individuals’ rights to a dignified life, family unity and safety. As immigration and migration are driven by complex factors, oftentimes resulting in life-or-death situations, the rights of those fleeing disaster, hunger, conflict, violence, or war are urgent and compelling.

Therefore, grounded by the demands of our faith and love of our neighbors, we urge our elected officials and community leaders to stand with us to protect family unity and human dignity by refusing to participate in any deportation efforts that violate these most basic human rights. Of special concern to us are reported methods of detention and deportation that might include raids on churches, houses of worship, hospitals, schools, and other locations associated with meeting basic human needs. Moreover, the threat of separating children from their parents as a means of punishment or deterrence is exceptionally reprehensible.

While the practice of religion is a basic human right recognized by most international organizations, we note that for those living in America it is part of the very foundation upon which our nation was built. We find it unacceptable that undocumented persons might be intimidated from going to a church and thereby exercising their right to the practice of religion. We also assert that the disruption of any religious gathering for deportation purposes is equally an assault on our own right to the free exercise of our religion. We also acknowledge that the stability of our society is under grave threat when undocumented persons are too fearful to seek necessary health care for themselves or their children, access basic education or contact law enforcement when being victimized or observing criminal activity.

We stand in solidarity with members of federal agencies, state agencies and local law enforcement personnel who may choose not to participate in deportation raids deemed unjust by their conscience. In accord with long-standing humanitarian principles, these conscientious objectors must be respected. Motivated by our faith, we urge federal, state, and local personnel tasked with detention or deportation of undocumented persons to consider how their actions might be seen in the eyes of God.

We likewise reiterate the call to our nation’s federal legislature to create an immigration system that is fair, reasonable and recognizes the human dignity of all persons. Let us be guided by the principles of mercy and compassion as we shape policies and practices that reflect the best of our shared humanity. In doing so, we honor the sacred dignity of all people, and we fulfill our moral obligation to care for the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and promote a world of justice and peace for all.”

LIST OF JUDICATORY LEADERS 

• Reverend Bronwen Boswell, General Presbyter & Stated Clerk for Shenandoah Presbytery PCUSA

• Bishop James Coleman, President, Baptist General Convention of Virginia

• Pastor Emmanuel Falaye, Apostolic Church Glorious Vision, USA (Northern VA Assembly)

• Bishop Susan Haynes, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

• Reverend Warren Lesane, Presbyterian Church, Synod Executive of the Mid-Atlantic, Virginia Synod ECLA

• Pastor John Olukanni, Apostolic Church Glorious Vision, USA (VA Beach Assembly)

• Bishop Lelia M. Ortiz, Bishop of the Metropolitan Washington DC Synod, ELCA

• Reverend Mark Snipes, Cooperative Baptist Church

• The Very Reverend Donna L. Steckline, Ecumenical Officer of the Episcopal Diocese of SWVA, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church

• The Right Reverend E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

• Dr. Leo Whitaker, Executive Minister, Baptist General Convention of Virginia

CONTACTS

Reverend Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Co-Executive Director, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Lakeisha@virginiainterfaithcenter.org  

Roberta Oster, Communications Director, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org                                                               

_____________________________________________________________

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is a multi-faith, nonprofit, non-partisan organization with a statewide base that includes over 20,000 people of faith and good will in every legislative district in Virginia, working together with hope for and focus on a more just society.