Exercising our voice:

Speaking about just immigration policies and practices to 2008 candidates

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Commitment number eight reads:

Advocate for just and humane policies for immigrants and refugees by contacting local, state and national elected officials.

We invite you to give voice to this commitment during your local, state and federal elections in 2008.

Through June 30, anyone may sign the letter shown below. Your name and position will appear on the signature page of this campaign for justice for immigrants. (Your e-mail will be used only by Mennonite Church USA staff to confirm signatures.) We will then create letterhead with about 25 of the most recognizable names/positions and invite anyone who identifies with Mennonite Church USA to print that letter from the website and send it to any candidate running for office through Election Day, November 4, 2008.

Mennonites do not typically use 'reverend' or broadcast their official positions. However, since other denominations are creating similar letters and letterheads and this letter goes only to people running for office, we are going to use hierarchical language.

Questions?
Content: Contact Krista Zimmerman, MCC Washington Office,
Process: Contact Lisa Amstutz, Peace Advocate office,

Dear Candidate:

We are writing to you, and to other candidates, to express concern about the direction of the national immigration debate, and especially the role it is playing in election year rhetoric and the various campaigns.

As members and leaders of Mennonite Church USA, we have committed to rejecting historical and ongoing mistreatment of immigrants. During our delegate meeting in July 2003, we passed a statement, which reads, in part, "We reject our country's mistreatment of immigrants, repent of our silence, and commit ourselves to act with and on behalf of our immigrant brothers and sisters, regardless of their legal status." We affirm that God has called us to welcome immigrants and that by doing so we welcome Jesus (Matthew 25:35).

We recognize that the national conversation about immigration - and about immigrants themselves - has become a deeply polarizing discussion. While there are many legitimate voices and concerns on all sides of the issue, we are increasingly troubled by the negative stereotypes and scare tactics being used by cultural and political leaders, who seem more interested in nurturing their own power than providing courageous and compassionate leadership.

Immigrant members of our church increasingly face anti-immigrant rhetoric and discrimination. Unscrupulous landlords and employers take advantage of them. Radio and television talk shows cast aspersions on their loyalty, character and personal hygiene. And too many politicians actively encourage this negative atmosphere or tolerate it by refusing to speak out against it. Because the church is one body in Christ, we all suffer when our immigrant brothers and sisters are treated in this manner.

As the campaign progresses, we hope you will provide leadership to others in your party, and to all people of the United States, by continuing to debate immigration policy in a respectful and tolerant manner, and by challenging those colleagues who do not.

Sincerely,
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