Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who offers all of us grace, love and peace with no boundaries.

During the February meeting of Mennonite Church USA Executive Board in Los Angeles, we worshiped and shared with Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference pastors and staff about their work and ministries. Their foremost pastoral concern is legislation passed by the House of Representatives in December. Should something similar to this bill also pass the Senate and then a joint House-Senate committee, the caring and sharing of their congregational and conference life would become illegal. Iglesia Menonita Hispana (IMH) staff has voiced similar concerns for their congregations and this is an issue in other Mennonite Church USA area conferences as well.

The Executive Board believes that God is calling us to respond on behalf of our sisters and brothers about these immigration and border concerns. We commend to you the Mennonite Church USA Churchwide Statement on Immigration, passed by the delegate assembly in July 2003, but we also want to provide an update on the situation. We encourage you and your congregation to

- study the biblical mandate for giving hospitality to those new to this country as many of us once were,
- learn about pending legislation and
- fax your legislators in March.

Most importantly, people of faith must remind legislators that true immigration reform has to start with the economic policies that impoverish immigrants' home countries. Until everyone has a vine and fig tree, as the prophets write (Micah 4:4), security fences and armed agents will only lead to more immigrant deaths on the border.

A few voices in support of just immigration policy can give policymakers the courage to do what they believe. Currently, legislators are receiving overwhelming numbers of contacts from people angry at immigrants. Now is a crucial time for the people of your congregation to raise their voices loudly on behalf of immigrants and those who assist them; to "speak out for those who cannot speak," as Proverbs 31:8 instructs.

Visit the OneSource website, www.MennoniteUSA.org/resources, for sermon and worship resources, a Sunday school class outline and most importantly, information on how to fax your Senator and suggested items to emphasize in your letter. Thanks to Mennonite Central Committee for their assistance to Mennonite Church USA congregations with many related resources on immigration.

May we each heed God's call to extend hospitality to all people as God has extended hospitality to us.

In the name of Christ who binds us all together,