This plan threatens to tear families apart and cause grave harm, including to those who have been a part of our churches and communities for years or decades. President-elect Trump has confirmed he plans to declare a national emergency to mobilize military assets in order to carry out large-scale deportations. Mass deportations would be logistically challenging and expensive; nevertheless, the administration may try to stoke fear by carrying out targeted raids of workplaces, schools, or churches. The administration has also called for widespread family detention. These policies will not make our communities safer; they will only create an atmosphere of constant threat and anxiety. Such actions go against our core values as a nation and as people of faith.
Mass deportations would also have severe economic consequences, disrupting various sectors of our economy that rely on immigrant labor. This could lead to labor shortages, increased costs for goods and services, and economic instability.
Most importantly, we believe mass deportations of law-abiding, tax-paying members of our communities serve no policy goal but to scapegoat immigrants for political purposes. Please join us in voicing your support for immigrants in our communities today!
Call to Action:
We urge all Episcopalians to contact your representatives in Congress, ask them to publicly oppose mass deportation, and emphasize the importance of upholding our nation's values of compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity.
Your voice is crucial in preventing this harmful and potentially illegal policy from becoming a reality. Together, we can work towards a more just and humane immigration system that reflects our values as a nation and as people of faith.
Additional Resources:
NPR: Trump promised the 'largest deportation' in U.S. history. Here's how he might start
American Immigration Council: Mass Deportation Report 2024
Brennan Center for Justice: The Posse Comitatus Act Explained
Trump’s First 100 Days: Potential Immigration Actions - National Immigration Forum
Episcopal Church Resolutions:
2022-D031: Advocate to End Immigrant Detention and Surveillance
2018-D009: Set Forth Christian Principles to Guide Responses to Human Migration