A message from Stacey June 21st, 2018

In recent days, our attention has been drawn to some horrifying turns in policies and practices regarding immigration. As you know, in early May, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a “zero tolerance” policy resulting in de facto family separation: children are immediately removed from their parents as they are apprehended after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. More recently, the Attorney General also rescinded previous protections for asylum seekers fleeing domestic abuse and gang violence. Neither threat of violence is now considered grounds for asylum. Not only that, but officials have recently used Christian scripture to justify their actions.

Our United Methodist board of Church and Society released a statement that says, among other things that “to argue that these policies are consistent with Christian teaching is unsound, a flawed interpretation, and a shocking violation of the spirit of the Gospel.” You can read the whole statement here.

A number of people have asked how we, as people of faith, are responding. Last week, as the New England Conference met in its yearly session, we approved overwhelming a resolution “taking a stand against separating immigrant children. (Full text here. Our Council of Bishops has joined other faith leaders in calling upon the administration to stop this practice immediately. (Read that statement here.)

It was noted by several people on Sunday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an active United Methodist lay person and Sunday School teacher in his local church. A letter signed by 600 United Methodists has brought charges against Jeff Sessions, saying that his policies and his use of scripture are in direct violation of his vows as a church member. Read more here.

People have asked how they can personally help the families and children who are being separated. I suggest you look into the work of New England Justice for Our Neighbors (here), a United Methodist ministry that provides free, high quality immigration and legal services, as well as hospitality, education and advocacy to immigrants. With branches in Springfield, MA and Woburn, they are currently raising funds to sustain a full time immigration lawyer in the Lowell/ Lawrence are to address the specific needs of unaccompanied minors.

Channel 25 offered a list of other suggested actions here.  If you have other ideas and suggestions about how we might work to mitigate the damage that is being done to children, please share them.

Stacey