Frequently Asked Questions about Immigration and Gloria Dei s Involvement in the Sanctuary Movement

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions about Immigration and Gloria Dei s Involvement in the Sanctuary Movement What is the Sanctuary Movement? The Sanctuary Movement is a growing movement of faith and immigrant communities standing with immigrants who face deportation. It is rooted in the historic treatment of houses of worship as places of safety--sanctuaries. Religious leaders, congregations, and faith-based organizations of multiple faiths and Christian denominations are part of the movement. The Sanctuary Movement has a long history in faith communities, including the ELCA and its predecessor bodies. In the Old Testament, hospitality to strangers was a duty. Jesus has taught us to treat our neighbors as ourselves, remembering that we were once strangers, ourselves. More recently, the Catholic Church in the 1980s opened its parishes as sanctuaries for immigrants from Central America. The American Lutheran Church published statements in solidarity with this movement in 1984, and the ELCA has continued this solidarity through the years, at its most recent Churchwide Assembly adopting the AMMPARO strategy, committing our national church to protecting the dignity, humanity, and welfare of refugees and migrant families, children, and unaccompanied minors. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church has supported nine refugee families from Ethiopia, Laos, and Vietnam in recent decades. We have a long history of supporting our community, both locally and globally. In late 2016, ISAIAH, the interfaith social justice organization in which Gloria Dei participates, invited congregations to stand together to oppose the deportation of undocumented persons in Minnesota. ISAIAH has two models for congregations to be a part of the movement: sanctuary congregations and sanctuary-supporting congregations. Gloria Dei heard this call and in November, 2016, formed a committee to understand both models and recommend ways Gloria Dei might commit to supporting refugees. It is now preparing a congregational vote on a resolution to declare Gloria Dei a sanctuarysupporting congregation. What is a sanctuary congregation? A sanctuary congregation is one that provides onsite housing and material support to an individual or family facing deportation. In this model, churches use their physical space to house undocumented immigrants. What is a sanctuary-supporting congregation? As a sanctuary-supporting congregation, Gloria Dei would not house an individual facing deportation in our church building, but would assist one or more other congregations who are housing an individual in sanctuary within their facilities. Becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation would mean offering spiritual and practical support to the sanctuary congregation(s) and the immigrant(s) they house by holding them in prayer, publicly declaring our support for them and advocating for them, and providing such services as food, clothing, companionship, entertainment, supplies, medical or legal help from our members with expertise, or financial support. Most importantly, we would stand in solidarity with those resisting harsh immigration policies and work to keep families intact. Page 1 of 6

2 Who are the people we may be serving? No single profile can be applied to all the individuals who may seek sanctuary. Many immigrants are considered illegal only because they are in the United States without required documentation. Many have been trying for years to gain legal status and appropriate documentation. Some may be the children of undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for years; others, workers in the process of completing immigration paperwork; others, people with green cards mistakenly or wrongly given a deportation order. While in sanctuary, these individuals will receive legal and emotional support as they work through the legal process to fight deportation and obtain needed documentation. ISAIAH is at work preparing a system to place those seeking sanctuary with sanctuary congregations. In assisting a sanctuary congregation, Gloria Dei would know the immigrant(s) housed by that congregation have been through the ISAIAH vetting process. What actions has Gloria Dei taken to educate the congregation about the Sanctuary Movement? Since November, the Gloria Dei committee has discussed both the sanctuary congregation and the sanctuary-supporting congregation models, researched legal implications, and suggested practical ways the congregation can stand with immigrants. The committee has held two forums focused on welcoming the stranger; at the second forum a panel of recent immigrants recounted the stories of their own journeys to the United States. In February, Pastor Bradley, with the support of Pastors Lois and Javen, sent a pastoral letter to the congregation and posted it to the Gloria Dei website. In it, he offered scriptural and spiritual bases for welcoming immigrants in our communities. The letter also was an invitation to participate in the congregation s work on the Sanctuary Movement. His letter is available on the church website here: When will the congregation decide whether to become a sanctuary-supporting congregation? At its February 21by meeting, the Congregation Council discussed a recommendation from the pastoral staff and the Executive Committee that Gloria Dei consider becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation; voted unanimously to call a congregational meeting to consider the matter; and tasked the committee with developing a resolution for congregational consideration. The Congregation Council has now scheduled a special meeting of the congregation to discuss and vote on the resolution for Sunday, March 19, 2017, immediately following the 10:45 worship service (approximately 12:00 PM) in the sanctuary. What other opportunities to learn about the Sanctuary Movement will the congregation have before the special congregational meeting on March 19? To provide additional opportunities to discuss what becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation would mean for Gloria Dei, the committee has scheduled time for informal discussion between members of the committee and members of the congregation between worship services March 5 and March 12, Members of the committee will be at the table just outside the library from 9:30-10:30 to answer your questions and receive your comments. Page 2 of 6

3 Additional sessions have been scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, and Wednesday, March 15, from 4:30-5:30, just before the Lenten soup suppers, in Fellowship Hall. This seems to be happening fast. Why are we voting now? We are moving quickly because of the urgency of the issue. Raids have been conducted in the Twin Cities, and families are being separated under the presidential administration s recent executive order. Across the country, churches are joining the Sanctuary Movement now to respond to the immediate need for sanctuary, and, equally importantly, to try to influence the administration to adopt considered, just, and compassionate immigration policies. Our involvement and advocacy, along with those of many other congregations, will send a powerful message to Congress, as well. Why are we not considering becoming a sanctuary congregation? Becoming a sanctuary congregation would present some logistical challenges such a providing bathing and laundry facilities that we would not face in becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation. By becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation, we can become involved in a meaningful way soon. Deciding to become a sanctuary-supporting congregation now does not preclude our becoming a sanctuary congregation in the future. Is it legal to be sanctuary-supporting congregation? As a sanctuary-supporting congregation, Gloria Dei would give assistance to other churches in the form of time, talent, and resources--support similar to the assistance we have given other congregations in past outreach activities. Much of the support Gloria Dei would provide as a sanctuary-supporting congregation would come from individual members, rather than from the congregation at large; nevertheless, part of the statute forbids any person from aiding and abetting immigrants who are known to be illegal under the statute. Although the initial aim of the statute was to prevent physical border crossings, aided and abetted by those who would receive direct financial gain from illegal immigrants, an individual charged under the statute could possibly be convicted of a felony and assessed a fine. The stake of Gloria Dei and its members in supporting a sanctuary congregation would be a moral and spiritual one, not a financial one, but the law has been written quite broadly, and it is left to the judicial branch to decide exactly what constitutes aiding and abetting and how to apply the law. It is not possible to predict how the Department of Justice will proceed in enforcing that part of the statute or whether it will decide to prosecute sanctuary-supporting congregations and individuals who assist sanctuary congregations. Few cases have been brought against congregations in this context, but the law against aiding and abetting in the assistance of immigrants is broad and open to judicial interpretation. Given the legal uncertainties, why would Gloria Dei decide to take the risk? In his February pastoral letter, Pastor Bradley reminded us that Deep within our congregational DNA is our memory of being immigrants ourselves, and The church is called to seek the welfare of the world s most vulnerable, to welcome the stranger, and to care for the alien. Moses issued this command to Israel, You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19) Jesus taught, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my Page 3 of 6

4 family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40) The ELCA has expressed particular concern for children and youth who are forced to flee because of violence and economic instability. (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities [AMMPARO] Adopted at ELCA Churchwide Assembly, 2016) As Lutheran Christians, we honor the rule of law and respect our elected leaders. We also honor the call of the gospel to seek justice and care for the least among us. Scripture is our ultimate authority, and when the Holy Spirit calls us to acts of civil disobedience in response to scripture s command to seek justice, we commit to do so in a spirit of love, compassion, forgiveness, and courage. What is the position of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding immigrants and refugees? The ELCA and its predecessor bodies have all taken strong public stances in support of compassionate immigration policies that include provisions for keeping families intact. The church s statements underscore the scriptural imperative to welcome refugees and immigrants and shelter them against return to countries where their lives or wellbeing would be put at risk. In 1984 the American Lutheran Church (ALC), a predecessor body of the ELCA, adopted Human Law and the Conscience of Believers: A Statement of the American Lutheran Church, which lays out the theological foundation for acts of civil disobedience, including offering sanctuary. If you would like further information on this statement, you may pick up a copy in the church office. What official statements has the ELCA has made in regard to immigration? On November 16, 1998, the ELCA adopted a Statement on Immigration, which still guides church action and policy today. It asserts that family reunification must be the primary objective of immigration law and declares, Immigration, refugee, and asylum policies express who we are as a nation, influence the nation s future character, and affect the lives of millions of people. We encourage our members, in light of our history and our ministry with newcomers, to join with other citizens in our democratic society to support just laws that serve the common good. The full statement can be found here: The 1998 statement undergirds the AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) strategy, adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August, 2016 (see below). What has the ELCA said recently about immigration? On November 14, 2009, the ELCA Church Council published a social policy resolution entitled Toward Compassionate, Just, and Wise Immigration Reform. Grounded in the 1998 message, it reiterates the call for a just government that serves the common good and states that The ELCA s posture toward governing authorities is one of critical respect respectful of their role to serve the common good, yet critical of unjust and harmful ideologies, structures and processes. Page 4 of 6

5 The full statement is available here: ORM.pdf What has the ELCA said about refugees? On November 19, 2015, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton published an ELCA statement on U.S. response to refugee resettlement, reiterating the principles of the 1998 message and encouraging public policy welcoming Syrian refugees. She concludes: Let us recommit ourselves to sharing encouragement to those persecuted as we seek to be a disturbing, reconciling, serving and deliberating presence in God s world. This will demand difficult, courageous work from each of us. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). The full message is available here: gee_resettlement.pdf?_ga= Most recently, in August, 2016, the ELCA adopted AMMPARO, a strategy for accompanying, serving, and protecting migrant children and their families. Read more about it here: Work/Publicly-Engaged-Church/AMMPARO. How would becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation support the ELCA commitment to families, children, and unaccompanied minors in its 2016 AMMPARO strategy? In assembly in August, 2017, the ELCA adopted the AMMPARO strategy, which speaks to the conditions that have brought refugees and immigrants, many of them undocumented, to the United States for years and declares, Ensuring the safety and humane treatment of children and families does not stop at any geographical border. As brothers and sisters in Christ, the ELCA is called to bear witness to the conditions affecting so many communities and work to find solutions that will acknowledge the humanity in all of God s children.... Working as church together, the ELCA will be children- and family-centered in this work and will engage across the faith-based community and with agencies and institutions whose missions align with our commitments. The ELCA will collaborate in an evolving and adaptable relationship with forcibly displaced children, their families and our partners while adopting the accompaniment values to build awareness around the issues facing unaccompanied and migrant children and to advocate domestically and internationally for these children and their families. In becoming a sanctuary-supporting congregation, Gloria Dei would commit to advocacy and support for refugee and immigrants, who, having come to the United States seeking safety and freedom for their families, now seek our aid in keeping their children safe and their families whole. Read more about the AMMPARO strategy at the link above. Page 5 of 6

6 What other congregations are sanctuary or sanctuary-supporting congregations? The list of sanctuary and sanctuary-supporting congregations in Minnesota is growing. As of March 3, sixteen congregations had declared themselves sanctuary congregations: Sanctuary Congregations 1. Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Saint Paul 2. First United Church of Christ, Northfield 3. Unity Unitarian, St. Paul 4. White Bear Universalist Unitarian, White Bear Lake 5. House of Hope Lutheran Church, New Hope 6. Linden Hills United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 7. Solomon s Porch, Minneapolis 8. Church of All Nations, Columbia Heights 9. St. Dominic Catholic Church, Northfield 10. Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Worthington 11. Macalester Plymouth United Church, Saint Paul 12. First Universalist Church, Minneapolis 13. University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis 14. Paz y Esperanza Lutheran Church, Willmar 15. Shir Tikvah Congregation Synagogue, Minneapolis 16. Robbinsdale United Church of Christ, Robbinsdale and ten, sanctuary-supporting congregations: 17. Valley of Peace Lutheran Church, Golden Valley 18. Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 19. Calvary Lutheran Church, Minneapolis 20. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, S Minneapolis 21. Our Saviour s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis 22. St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Minneapolis 23. Church of the Ascension Catholic Community, Minneapolis 24. Twin Cities Friends Meeting (Quakers), St. Paul 25. St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Minneapolis 26. Church of St. Anthony of Padua, St. Paul Page 6 of 6