Presbyterians Issue Statement on AZ Immigration Law
Strangely, the immigration issue has floated off my radar after my move to Grand Forks. Whereas I used to encounter immigrants often in my aspects of my daily life, I don’t anymore (well, not counting the 3rd & 4th generation Scandinavian immigrants that makeup 80% of our congregation). Fargo has a growing new immigrant community, and is making a name for itself as a welcoming place for immigrants, especially those (often refugees) from Africa. And even on our side of Kittson County, I am not aware of too many immigrant issues — I think things may be a bit different on the east side of the county, though I confess I don’t know enough on this yet.
Anyways, I thought I’d post the recent statement from PC(USA) leaders in response to the AZ immigration law, SB 1070. I’ll post the text here, though there’s some good discussion (so far, at least) going on at Bruce’s blog here. As always, statements such as these beg two questions: (1) what of the folks in the PC(USA) who disagree with our denominational position statements on immigration and (2) who really cares about a statement from the PC(USA) these days? I’ll be addressing more of these types of questions this summer when I’ll be blogging our General Assembly for The Presbyterian Outlook, but if folks would like to get the discussion going now I’m game. Without further ado, here it is:
April 29, 2010
Dear Members of Congress,
We write to express our conviction that you must enact comprehensive immigration reform this year. As people of faith and the leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we are keenly aware of the devastating effects our broken immigration system has on the lives of individuals, immigrant and non-immigrant families, and our communities. The bigotry, trauma, and fear that will result from the recent new law enacted in Arizona, SB 1070, which criminalizes those who are found “with” undocumented persons and requires law enforcement officers to identify and detain such persons, serves to underscore the necessity of action at the federal level.
Churches are on the front lines of caring for families being ripped apart by our broken immigration system. Traumatized citizen children left behind when parents are deported are but one example of the ways the current system destroys the fabric of community life, the integrity of healthy families, and the safety of individual persons. Church workers are also at the forefront of offering relief and services to immigrants, regardless of documentation status. Arizona’s new law will put at risk those workers and others who are called simply to offer the most basic of humanitarian assistance. As Christians, we cannot stand by idly while our brothers and sisters die on our borders from exposure and thirst or languish in poorly equipped detention facilities, nor should we be required to do so by any law.
The new Arizona law also puts in jeopardy the public safety of immigrant communities, already wary of law enforcement for fear of deportation. Instead of new laws that induce fear and distrust, immigrants should be encouraged to participate with law enforcement, reporting crimes when they are victims and offering testimony when they are witnesses. Such trust and participation is impossible if local law enforcement is tasked with enforcement of federal immigration laws. SB 1070 will only foster more fear among immigrant communities, regardless of documentation status. Comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level is essential to override and counteract the damage done in Arizona by this new law.
In the Scriptures of Christians and Jews, we are commanded, “When an immigrant resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the immigrant. The immigrant who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the immigrant as yourself for you were immigrants in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19:33-34). The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) therefore supports congressional action in 2010 on comprehensive immigration reform that creates a process for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to earn their legal status; reduces waiting periods and upholds family unity; protects workers from exploitation; and provides efficient channels of entry for new migrant workers.
Sincerely,
Bruce Reyes-Chow
Moderator, 218th General Assembly (2008)Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General AssemblyLinda Bryant Valentine
Executive Director, General Assembly Mission Council
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Excellent statement, and very well worded. As for who cares about a statement from the PC (USA), I think the more important consideration is that the church has a responsibility to make public statements such as this one, whether anyone cares or not.
This is not an excellent statement. It’s a knee jerk reaction and shows more distrust of law officers than anything else.
The Arizona laws MIRROR the Federal laws. The only difference is that the local agencies are taking a stand against the cartels that have caused a lot of violence and sex trafficking (of minors) through these illegal activities.
Bruce is narcistically grand standing yet again to make himself look good. I’ll be really glad when his term of office is well and truly over.
Stushie
I’m curious why you felt it important to bad mouth the moderator?
Hmm, Stushie, let’s not make this personal. The three signatories of the letter are interpreting — quite rightly, I believe — the actions of prior General Assemblies. This is not grand standing by any individual, but leading the denomination. I am grateful for their tireless work.
If one views the AZ law in context — e.g. that quickly after it was passed another law came before the legislature to require any presidential candidate to have his birth certificate on record in AZ before getting on the ballot — I think the issue becomes less about enforcing federal laws than reinforcing fear of the other, the other with dark skin, speaking another language, etc. I doubt the legislators really sought to take a stand against cartels as much as function in a political climate fraught with the Tea Party.
All that said, I continue to pray for Bruce as he completes his term as moderator. I hope we can all join in prayers that God will lead us to elect a faithful, humble, dedicated, and wise individual at the next GA.
Hmmm. I can’t see how this is “badmouthing” law enforcement. Rather, it identifies a real issue with this law. The law unfairly puts legal immigrants and Latino citizens in an adversarial relationship with law enforcement, one that serves neither their interests or the interests of an orderly society.
I had a long session discussing this issue in the context of “difference” and the lectionary Acts passage this last week in Bible Study. My little church is almost 80% immigrant, mostly of Korean heritage, and they sympathized with law enforcement. They also felt that enforcing this law would require one to violate, on a rather fundamental level, the Great Commandment. Calling it out for what it is ain’t grandstanding, Brother Stushie.
I was born of immigrant parents so the issue is not immigrants, but illegal (undocumented) immigrants. The Assembly is being disingenuous and attempts to cloud the issue when it lumps illegal immigrants with those immigrants who, as my parents, came to this country lawfully and became productive citizens of this great nation. I’m confident that the vast majority of the citizens of this country are not against legal immigrants and honor Lev. 19:33-34–the issue is illegal immigrants.
As a member of the Presbyterian Church I do not condone the Assembly using my membership as an implication that I support this or any other political ideological position of its choosing. In my opinion the Assembly should instead be addressing the pressing problems that ensure its and the Church’s survival in this increasing secular country and stay out of the political arena which is the venue of our elected officials; i.e., honor separation of church and state.
Because the Federal Government has abdicated its responsibility to enforce the immigration laws (as well as other laws) of this country, I support the efforts of the State of Arizona to address their illegal immigration problem consistent with Federal statutes. While I typically shy away from such actions, I take such a strong exception to the Assembly’s action (letter) that I will be contributing to the Arizona Defense Fund in the lawsuit brought by the Federal Government.
Thanks for the comment, Harry. Just to clarify, this is an older statement now from April, but the General Assembly that met just last week also took up the immigration question. I’m afraid you wouldn’t much like what they passed either, for a sampling see: http://ga219.pcusa.org/news/2010/7/9/assembly-approves-measure-response-arizona-immigra/
By the way, the assembly doesn’t so much speak for each individual member, but for themselves, and there’s certainly an understanding in the church that this is a tricky and controversial issue. That said, personally I affirm the work of the assembly and applaud them for taking a stand — just as it’s important for you to take a stand if you disagree.
Peace. And thanks for your comment.
Hey Adam, if the assembly in fact speaks for themselves, then I suggest that they forgo any reference to the General Assembly and their position therein in their correspondence so that there will be no ambiguity for whom they speak/represent.
Regards,
Harry