Immigration

We must join the immigration dialogue

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori calls on Episcopalians to join in the current debate on immigration. With a reminder of the many biblical admonitions to welcome the stranger, Jefferts Schori also acknowledges the complexity of the issue. "We all agree that American immigration law is broken," she writes. "Just and appropriate responses can be shaped in public conversations in which people of faith do and must have a voice."

Read the Presiding Bishop's call for involvement by clicking here to open a PDF of her statement on Immigration.

She says, “Our biblical tradition speaks loudly and prophetically about God’s intent for a healed society in which distinctions based on nationality or ethnicity are transcended. The Hebrew Bible speaks more often (38 times) and more vociferously about welcome for the alien and the sojourner (the non-Jew who resides in or travels through Israel) than any other topic of identity: ‘Remember that you were slaves in Egypt … do not oppress the aliens in your midst’ (Deuteronomy 24:18-22).”

She invokes the “overarching dream of differing peoples gathered to worship and build a just society also underlies the founding vision of the United States. Those American forebears claimed that vision of a “city built on a hill” to which the nations shall stream.

The Episcopal Church long has claimed a particular place in seeking to build those divine visions into reality through engagement with our political, economic and social structures... We believe that our faith has something essential to do with how we engage major social issues, and immigration is a central one at present.”

She calls for us to “ learn more about the underlying issues and then gather with others in your congregation and in the larger community to reflect on a number of questions:

  • What values do I as a Christian hold about the dignity of every human person?
  • Should immigrants be treated differently from citizens and, if so, how and why?
  • What values do I believe this nation should hold up as central?
  • What are my own fears in the midst of this current debate?
  • What is my prayer?


Theological Underpinnings

Episcopal Migration Ministries, part of the national church, points to the parable of the Good Samaritan as reminding us that neighbors are often unlike us and may come from communities and regions that are shunned or treated with disdain. "Yet, we are told to embrace an inclusive view of family and community in expressing our faith. In the parable, the provision of hospitality is more than a gesture - it is a willingness to see the hurt friend through to recovery, to make a difference in restoring hope to the suffering. We are admonished to create the time and space to extend help. The story of the Good Samaritan calls us to invest ourselves in the restoration and recovery of others regardless of circumstance. It is also a message against the racism and prejudice that can affect our attitude toward refugees and immigrants."