Northeast Ohio Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Migrants
Northeast Ohio Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Migrants
The sacred writings of our world’s religions contain passages that address the issue of migrants (immigrants and refugees). They repeatedly instruct us to love our neighbor and show hospitality to the stranger. In all our traditions, walking with migrants is a matter of faithfulness.
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:34)
Muhammad taught “The rights of migrants are the same as those of their host.”
Jesus taught, "For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35).
In northeast Ohio, we have a long history of migrant communities enriching our lives. Immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people are members of our faith communities. We are alarmed by the prospect of ICE raids at our churches, schools, health care facilities, and playgrounds. Some immigrants are afraid to send their children to school, to seek care at hospitals, attend church, or access other essential services.
We recognize that keeping communities safe and supporting the well-being of all people is a goal shared by all. We agree that nations have the responsibility to protect their borders and safeguard their communities. However, these policies must not cause undue hate bias or harms to migrants.
Just policies include recognition of the humanity of migrants without legal status and refuge for displaced peoples. Fear and division, however, are being caused by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, including some that are legally questionable and being challenged in courts.
We stand in solidarity and accompaniment with our migrant community as well as with our political leaders who have publicly supported the rights of immigrants and refugees including Mayor Justin Bibb,i County Executive Chris Ronayne,ii,iii and Global Cleveland’s Joseph Cimperman.iv
We are scandalized by recent violations of the human and civil rights of migrants including the arbitrary revocation of visas and green cards, removal of Temporary Protection Status, threats to birthright citizenship, and the forcible deportation and incarceration without due process of people with no criminal records.
We join with national faith-based organizations in opposing the mass deportation of migrants. With them, we also call for just and comprehensive immigration reform and the creation of pathways to legal status such as citizenship. Likewise, we call for respect for the integrity of families, respect for due process, and respect for human dignity of migrants, v
As people of faith we cannot remain silent. We therefore pledge ourselves:
to accompany our Northeast Ohio migrant community in all the ways open to us,
to support local and national agencies that serve and advocate for immigrants,
to bring these urgent concerns to local and national political leaders including to those who have already spoken in support of the rights of immigrants and refugees.
Please join us in prayer and advocacy for all those who are forced to flee their homes, especially for people newly threatened by illegal practices that violate their human and civil rights. May our actions reflect a courageous commitment to their lives and well-being.