This week I wrote a letter to President Obama and to Secretary of Homeland Security, the Honorable Jeh Johnson, asking them to offer administrative relief for Luis and others who have committed no crimes, have been a part of our communities for years, but are under threat of deportation (you can read it here). Yesterday the Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of my denomination’s General Assembly, also wrote a letter to the President, asking the same thing (you can read his letter here).
We can make a difference in the lives of those under threat of deportation who simply want to live their lives free from the violence (physical, emotional, spiritual, as well as economic) raging in their own countries. I am convinced they are not “drains” on our society. Rather, they enrich our communities. I have been yelled at on the phone, called names, and been told absolute lies by those who oppose my session’s decision to offer sanctuary to Luis (you can read more on our decision to offer sanctuary here and most recently here).
My colleague, Cyndi Wittmore, of the Phoenix Restoration Project, also offered a beautiful and succinct explanation of why we are doing what we are doing on the Luis Lopez Acabal-Sanctuary Facebook page:
I encourage everyone who wants to live in safer and more connected communities to help those hiding in the shadows come out and fully participate by contacting your local legislators, President Obama and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson (click here for contact info and some language to use when you call). CALL TODAY! CALL EVERY DAY!
Together we can change our immigration system and offer hope to millions who simply want to stay with their families and be a part of this American experiment we call the United States!