Evangelicals Urge Congressional Action on Dreamers, Border, Farmworkers and Afghans in Lame Duck

Dear U.S. Senators,

As Christian leaders, we are compelled by the Bible’s clear instructions to speak up for vulnerable immigrants. In the last few weeks of this Congress, we urge you to forge bipartisan consensus to resolve several pressing concerns affecting our immigrant neighbors:

Dreamers. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are currently living and working lawfully in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy could soon lose those protections as a result of legal challenges. Congress should act immediately, allowing DACA recipients and other Dreamers to apply for permanent legal status.

Afghans. Many of our churches eagerly stepped up to help resettle Afghans forced to flee the threat of Taliban persecution last year, but most of these individuals have only temporary protections. Congress should act to allow Afghans to undergo additional vetting and then apply for permanent legal status before their legal documents expire.

Farmworkers. As labor shortages in the agricultural sector contribute to significant increases in food costs, Americans are increasingly aware of the contributions of foreign-born farmworkers. Congress should reform our immigration policies to ensure a legal, reliable agricultural workforce.

Border Communities. Last year marked the highest number of apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border of any year on record. Congress should act to restore order and ensure security at our borders while respecting our laws that rightly offer protection to those who can demonstrate a credible fear of persecution.

Time is running out. These urgent challenges will only become more difficult to resolve in the new Congress. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act,” Proverbs 3:27 instructs. We urge you to use the power entrusted to you to act now, setting aside partisan differences in the interest of our immigrant neighbors and of our nation.

Sincerely,

We will send this letter to your congressional offices on your behalf. We may also publish the letter including a list of prominent signatories, including a note that “Institution names are listed for affiliation purposes only”.