Washington, DC – Immigrants and advocates—including people of faith—are practicing persistence, pressing Congress to enact a path to citizenship this year in spite of setbacks and challenges. Grounded in moral and religious convictions and following the persistent leadership of immigrants themselves, member organizations of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) urge Congress, President Biden, and Vice President Harris to do everything in their power to deliver permanent protections through a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants through the $100 billion allocated for immigration in the reconciliation package.
“Persistence is a value in many faiths, as in my own tradition where the determined widow in Luke 18 refused to stop demanding justice from the judge resistant to grant the fairness that was in his power to give,” said Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries. “Like immigrants who find multiple ways to move forward in their lives after every setback, people of faith are persisting in our demand that Congress and the Biden administration keep their promise to build just pathways to citizenship this year, doing what is right for our immigrant neighbors and their families.”
In the world’s religions, persistence is valued as a demonstration of faith and a way to live out our Creator’s calling for our lives. In the Bible, Matthew 24:13 reads, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” The Quran also speaks of righteous persistence: “seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere,” it says. In Buddhist practice, great teachers encourage persistence, diligence, and patience in meditation, knowing that living out a meditative life can be extremely difficult. As people of diverse faiths, we will persist in calling for permanent protections for our immigrant neighbors until they are made a reality.
“We have a strong moral imperative to act in solidarity with marginalized communities and to empower these individuals and families to develop their God-given potential. With a pathway to earn citizenship, millions of undocumented children and parents across the nation would soon be able to access opportunities that are currently unavailable to them simply because of their status,” said Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director for Migration Policy with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “For our communities to truly recover and thrive, we can’t afford to let up the pressure: we must persevere on a way forward to usher new possibilities for our siblings in Christ. Congress must deliver permanent protections that allow for flexible and humane ways for individuals to adjust their status. We will be there to make sure this happens.”
“It is long overdue for Congress to ensure permanent protections for our 11 million immigrant neighbors,” said Barbara Weinstein, Director, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. “As a community descended from immigrants and refugees, with a long history of persecution and sojourning in foreign lands, American Jews are particularly sensitive to the plight of today’s immigrants. We are also inspired by the Torah’s demand to justly treat and support the ger – the so-called ‘stranger’ whose legal status was similar to that of the immigrant in the United States today. We must not miss the opportunity to include essential immigration reforms in the Build Back Better Act.”
“It is long past time we heeded God’s call to welcome the stranger and paid tribute to our own national values,” said Ann Scholz, SSND, Associate Director for Social Mission of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. “We urge our elected leaders to persist in the quest for justice for immigrants, to seize this historic moment and put an end to the uncertainty and fear that plague our immigrant neighbors by including a pathway to citizenship for 11 million of our neighbors in the Build Back Better Act of 2021.”
“Elected officials may be annoyed by persistence of advocates who demand a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants,” said Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director of Franciscan Action Network (FAN), “but in the Gospel of Jesus which we follow, persistence for a just cause is a virtue. Jesus tells his disciples to ask, seek, and knock for what is good, so FAN members will keep knocking on the door closed to citizenship for thousands of undocumented immigrants who contribute to this country in many ways but are vulnerable and live with uncertainty and fear. We call on Congress to open a path to citizenship and approve $100 billion allocated for immigration in the budget reconciliation package.”
“It is terrible enough that immigrant communities have to put their bodies on the line to remind Congress to keep a promise delayed by decades of inaction,” stated Peniel Ibe, IIC co-chair and Policy Engagement Coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee. “Leaders in Congress and the Biden administration promised citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country – nothing less. The time is now to make good on that promise. The urgency is real; with each passing day, our communities are separated, caught in the web of cruel and unjust detention and deportation policies. Congress must create permanent protections that are inclusive and accessible. The Bible reminds us to let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes.’ And as people of faith, we are calling on Congress to do the right thing and say ‘yes’ to citizenship now.”
“Securing permanent protections for undocumented immigrants is not simply an issue of politics, but one of morality,” said Jody Rabhan, Chief Policy Officer, National Council of Jewish Women. “Our 11 million immigrant neighbors are part of our communities. They own homes and businesses, attend school, worship in our congregations, and are vital to the economic strength of our nation. We urge Congress to create a path to citizenship, and we are grateful to the tireless advocacy and leadership of directly impacted communities who have worked to get Congress to this point.”
“As Quakers, we are morally and spiritually compelled to uplift the dignity and rights of every member of society. Persistent congressional inaction exacerbates the suffering and vulnerability of our undocumented neighbors. Congress cannot absolve itself of its commitment to pathways to citizenship,” said Anika Forrest, Immigration and Refugee Program Legislative Manager at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “We will overcome existing injustices in our immigration system with fortitude, reminding ourselves not to become weary in doing good because we will reap a harvest when we persevere. Now is the season for reaping — Congress must deliver permanent, equitable solutions for millions of undocumented immigrants.”
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants. Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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