AMERICAN
BAPTIST CHURCHES USA
___________________________________
June 15, 2018
Mr. Jeff Sessions, Attorney
General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General
Sessions,
I am writing to you today on
behalf of the 5,000 congregations and 1.3 million members of the American
Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). As General Secretary, I serve as the national
pastor of the denomination. ABCUSA has a long and distinguished record of service
in welcoming immigrants and refugees to communities throughout the United
States.
The American Baptist family
would like to communicate our deep concern over the unjust immigration policies
of the United States government, and in particular, the unconscionable
separation of children from their parents on our southern border. As a
fellowship of Christ-followers who recall the trials of the child Jesus and his
parents, who fled from persecution in their homeland to another country
(Matthew 2:13-18), we adamantly oppose separating children from their relatives.
A just society can fulfill its fidelity to its own laws and border security
without resorting to such unwise and harmful practices; instead, we urge that
compassion, fairness and family-affirming policies characterize our response to
the plight of families on our borders. We note that destructive practices such
as the separation of children from parents place a serious burden on our law
enforcement agents and officials, who in carrying out such policies find their
own consciences ethically compromised and troubled.
Furthermore, we strongly
disagree with your erroneous appropriation of the New Testament (in particular,
Romans 13) to justify inhumane and unjust governmental actions. No responsible
Christian theologian would assert that Romans 13, or any other passage in the
Bible, supports the horrific separation of children from parents that we are
witnessing at the present time. In fact, both the Old and New Testaments call
those who believe in God to welcome refugees and immigrants with open arms and
friendship, with loving care and concern, and with the willingness to assist
others in enjoying the prospects of a future based on hope and opportunity.
Accordingly, American
Baptists wish to express our sincere hope that the separation of children and parents
will immediately cease. We urge Congress and the President to approve and
implement without delay more compassionate and just immigration policies and
procedures. As the leading law enforcement official of our government, it is
your privilege and responsibility to lead such an effort. Thank you for
considering our position.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, General Secretary
American
Baptist Churches USA
