English Version

In difficult and threatening times, churches and all
Christians have an obligation to stand with the word of
God against those who use fear to deny fundamental
human rights and dignity to the stranger in our midst. We,
the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), and the president of the Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), call on all
people of faith to oppose attempts at immigration reform
as currently proposed.

There are those who may wish to characterize this
position as weakening our national vigilance against
terrorism; it does not, and it would be wrong to so imply.
The ELCA has a very strong statement regarding the
threat of terrorism and so advocates, but we believe the
current immigration reform effort does not protect this
country. Rather, it denies fundamental human rights and
limits the ministry of the church to those residing in our
land.

We reject "enforcement only" legislation that separates
families; that criminalizes undocumented men, women
and children; that criminalizes churches, their pastors and
lay people who minister to the alien in their communities;
that denies a legal path to permanent residence for
millions already in the United States working for our
companies and businesses; and denies fair treatment for
farm workers who provide our daily bread.
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On Monday [April 10] I stood near the state capitol in Madison,
looking down West Washington Avenue. I went because our synod
assembly last year passed a resolution that memorialized "the
ELCA to recommit to being an advocate and justice seeker in
regard to refugee and immigration issues." I went because I have
deep concern about current immigration issues and future
immigration reform that will treat people justly. I went because I
wanted to stand with my sisters and brothers who long for the
opportunities I enjoy as a citizen of the United States of America.
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