faith in action

Faith Leaders Urged to Challenge New Immigration Restrictions: A Call to Reflection and Action

The Biden administration's new immigration restrictions limit asylum eligibility for migrants at the southern U.S. border, threatening the safety of those fleeing violence and persecution. As United Methodists, we are called to challenge these policies and advocate for asylum seekers in their pursuit of safety and dignity.


Sign reads "refugees welcome"

The recent immigration restrictions, formalized by the Biden administration in September 2024, further limit asylum eligibility for migrants crossing the southern U.S. border. This rule not only excludes many migrants from accessing asylum but also subjects those unable to establish a legal basis to remain to immediate removal and a five-year ban from re-entry.

Asylum restrictions have serious consequences, subjecting individuals to violence, kidnapping, torture, rape, and extortion, further traumatizing those already fleeing regions devastated by conflict, oppression, and instability.

Whether escaping armed conflicts or persecution based on gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political opinion, these individuals have made the painful decision to leave their homes seeking safety and dignity, often arriving without documentation or access to legal aid.

This reality underscores the urgent need for a more compassionate approach to asylum, as the current rule stands in stark opposition to the asylum statute enacted by Congress, which recognizes that those fleeing danger should not be forced to wait for an appointment to seek protection. The ACLU has condemned this new rule, stating it is “not just immoral but illegal.”

As United Methodists, we take action against policies that undermine human dignity and violate the core tenets of our faith. Rooted in the Social Principles, we must respond with justice, mercy, and advocacy, challenging this immigration rule that ignores the root causes that drive migration—many of which result from U.S. policies that prioritize profits over people and environmental concerns—while scapegoating immigrants and fanning the flames of xenophobia.

The Social Principles guides us to:

  • Recognize every individual as a person of sacred worth deserving of hospitality and protection, including migrants, immigrants, refugees, and displaced or stateless people.
  • Oppose policies that criminalize, dehumanize or punish people based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees.
  • Challenge policies that call for the separation of families, especially parents and minor children.

A Call to Action for the Faith Community

As people of faith, it is not enough to lament these injustices; we must act. It is our duty to:

  • Speak out against unjust laws by writing to representatives for humane immigration reform.
  • Support asylum seekers by partnering with organizations providing legal assistance and resources.
  • Offer sanctuary in churches for those navigating the complex immigration system.

Let us remember that immigration justice is not just a political issue, but a profound faith issue grounded in the gospel of love and hospitality. We are called to advocate, care, and stand in solidarity with all God’s children.

Sources

  • United Methodist Church, 2024 Social Principles
  • Department of Homeland Security, Joint DHS-DOJ Final Rule on Immigration