Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. —Zechariah 7:9-10
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has affirmed this calling for over forty years, beginning with the Sanctuary Movement within the United States and supporting the work of those protecting and assisting migrants. Most recently, the 225th General Assembly declared the PC(U.S.A.) to be a Sanctuary and Accompanying Church, reaffirming decades of commitment to supporting immigrants, migrants, and refugees through work guided by principles of accompaniment and protection.
These values are at risk in H.R. 29, the “Laken Riley Act.” The bill represents a cynical attempt to exploit a tragic loss of life to perpetuate a false narrative that ties immigration to fears surrounding public safety. The legislation subjects immigrants facing mere allegations of petty offenses to prolonged, indefinite detention without bond. As a faith-based organization, we urge all members of Congress to honor the humanity and dignity of all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers by rejecting this cruel proposal and instead supporting measures rooted in collective concern for immigrant communities. The bill has already passed the U.S. House, and Republicans are pushing for it to be the first bill sent to the incoming president, who will take the oath of office on January 20, 2025.
The bill mandates the arrest and detention—without bond—of any undocumented person convicted of, or merely arrested for, burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting-related offenses. There is no statute of limitations, no due process, and no mechanism for individuals to contest their immigration detention in order to resolve any underlying criminal charges (if charges are even brought).
Mandatory immigration detention, which forces people with pending immigration cases to endure carceral conditions detrimental to human health for prolonged periods, is a gravely harmful practice that should be ended. Rather than expanding mandatory detention, which does not promote public safety and only contributes to tremendous human suffering, Congress should invest in solutions that foster a fairer and more just immigration system—one that allows all communities to flourish.
The bill also undermines constitutional protections and disrupts the balance of power between states and the federal government, giving anti-immigrant state attorneys general the power to destabilize the immigration system. This is only the first of many attacks on immigrant communities we expect to see in the 119th Congress and incoming administration.
Congress must not succumb to a political ploy that exploits a tragic act to demonize and criminalize an entire group of people. Write you Senator today to urge them to reject the “Laken Riley Act” and invest in our nation’s longstanding tradition of welcoming immigrants. The sacred texts of our Christian tradition, along with the practices of our nation’s diverse faith traditions, call us to stand with the vulnerable and remain committed to the sacred practice of welcoming the sojourner.
The PC(U.S.A.) stands in solidarity with immigrants, migrants, and asylum seekers affirming that our collective flourishing depends on the safety and security of everyone, including those newly arriving on our shores.