Today, as the House Judiciary Committee considers legislation seeking to address the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, evangelical leaders sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to pursue policies that improve border security but do not erode or eliminate existing legal protections for asylum seekers or unaccompanied children.
Evangelical leaders state that, while border challenges are significant and require congressional response, there are also other urgent priorities impacting a range of immigrant communities already living in the United States. Many of these groups are in need of permanent legal status that only Congress can provide, including Dreamers, Afghan and other humanitarian parolees, and long-term beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status.
“As pastors and ministry leaders, we urge you to consider these two principles — ensuring secure borders and respecting the God-given dignity of each person,” the letter says. “And to oppose proposals that would either make our borders less secure or would erode existing legal protections for those vulnerable to persecution, human trafficking or other significant harm.”
Along with NAE President Walter Kim, signers include Myal Greene, president & CEO of World Relief, Gabriel Salguero, president of National Latino Evangelical Coalition and many more.