Donald Trump's allies in Congress are ramping up their attacks on religious charities that help immigrants
Donald Trump's allies in Congress are ramping up their attacks on religious charities that help immigrants.
As Christians, we need to speak up now.
Last month, the chairmen of the Committee on Homeland Security -- Rep. Mark Green and Rep. Josh Brecheen -- launched an investigation into more than 200 organizations that provide aid to immigrants and refugees. These nonprofit groups -- including many religious organizations like Catholic Charities, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Global Refuge -- received a letter demanding to know if they used "taxpayer dollars to facilitate illegal activity."
While these organizations are not required to respond to the inquiry, Green and Brecheen indicated that the Committee may take unspecified "further measures" if they do not comply.
These organizations have well-established histories of refugee resettlement and serving immigrant communities -- in other words, of welcoming strangers. As Christians, let's publicly show our support for the important work these charities do -- and have their backs in the face of congressional intimidation tactics.
This is not the first time far-right leaders have tried to discredit and disband faith-based organizations that serve our neighbors and attempt to follow Christ. Fortunately, many organizations that received Green and Brecheen's letter are speaking out against this latest scare tactic -- with the backing of some members of Congress:
Bishop Dwayne Royster -- head of Faith in Action -- claimed the inquiry was not even relevant to Faith in Action's organizing work. Nevertheless, they still wound up on the investigation list. Bishop Royster was clear about his faith-based resistance: "I will be damned if they're going to stop us from doing what we do that we feel mandated and called to do, by God, to care for other human beings to the best of our ability."
Adrienne Walker -- general counsel for the Unitarian Universalist Association -- responded that their organization had not received any federal dollars but still received the inquiry. She stated that their denomination "objects to any use of the Letter, including the linked survey, to intimidate or interfere with Constitutionally protected rights of free speech and free exercise of religious practices."
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights publicly stated, "We categorically reject any allegation that our work as an organization now and during the past 39 years providing services to immigrants and their families violates the law."
In a joint statement, Rep. Bennie Thompson and Rep. Shri Thanedar -- top Democrats on the Committee of Homeland Security -- called their colleagues' investigation "little more than a campaign to intimidate these groups so they'll stop the good work that our communities rely on."
These courageous leaders are standing up for religious liberty and loving their neighbors despite facing ongoing threats. Let's show our gratitude by speaking out now -- and make it clear to Trump's allies that social-justice Christians won't abandon their mission or each other.
Thank you for everything you do to love your neighbor by boldly supporting aid for immigrants and refugees.
In peace,
- Christina (she/they), Rev. Dr. Shannon (she/her), Karli (she/her), Rev. Hunter (he/him), and the Faithful America team
"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." - Jeremiah 1:8