Mennonite
Central
Committee

MCC Washington Office launches campaign to highlight immigration reform

February 21, 2006

The MCC Washington Office is inviting congregations to gain awareness about the plight of immigrants along the U.S./Mexico border by joining an effort to send at least 463 letters to Congress about immigration reform — one for every immigrant who died along the border in 2005.

Campaign Details

Letters on the Line is an online letter campaign which includes stories, tips for writing to lawmakers, a biblical reflection and other resources for churches.

The campaign remembers immigrants who died along the border and provides congregations and individuals with suggestions for speaking out in response to an immigration reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2005.

Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act

The Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act (H.R. 4437), also known as the Sensenbrenner-King bill, would make being in the country without immigration documents an aggravated felony and criminalize church workers and social service providers who assist undocumented immigrants.

In early March, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to begin shaping an immigration reform bill that could reach the Senate floor as early as March 27.

Campaign Goal

The goal of 463 letters is a symbolic gesture, meant to spur congregations to ponder the number of deaths along the border and to inspire them to act for change, said Bethany Spicher Schonberg, MCC Washington Office legislative assistant for domestic affairs. She hopes, however, that many more than 463 letters will be sent.

"If people of faith don't lead the way in advocating for just immigration law, I don't know who's going to do it," she said. "There are loud anti-immigration voices. Their message is the one being heard now."

Congregations are recommended to begin by gathering in small groups to reflect on members' own immigration histories. "That's something that really opens the door to understanding and feeling solidarity with immigrants," Spicher Schonberg said.

The campaign Web site suggests that letter writers share with lawmakers their vision for policies to lead to justice and peace for immigrants. The site says writers can contact senators to tell them that provisions in the Sensenbrenner-King bill will hurt immigrant communities and inhibit the immigration work of churches. Writers may contact members of the House of Representatives to either thank them for their vote on the Sensenbrenner-King bill or to ask why they supported the bill.

Congregations or individuals who send letters are asked to notify the Washington Office, and the Web site will track how many letters have been sent.

 

Letters on the Line campaign