To: Immigration, Crime and Justice, Civil Rights and Militarization Advocates
From: Gabe Schlabach and Krista Zimmerman, MCC Washington Office
Date: May 15, 2008

Issue:

On June 19th, thousands of people from across the country will gather in homes, offices, coffee shops, and places of worship to participate in the Night of 1,000 Conversations. These community gatherings will include a discussion about how the immigration policies of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) undermine the civil liberties and human rights of people living in the United States.

Background:

Since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, many policymakers have tried to blur the line between immigrants (especially undocumented immigrants) and terrorists. In the name of national security, DHS has adopted practices that routinely violate basic rights of immigrants in this country, including legal residents and citizens:

• Immigration raids that lock up people without due process.
• Inhumane detention conditions (including the detention of children and families) and arbitrary jailing without trial.
• Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Proposed “enforcement-only” legislation, such as the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088), would expand the DHS’s powers, sending more troops to the borders while simultaneously enacting a flawed and overreaching employment verification system that would threaten the jobs of citizens and legal residents as well as undocumented immigrants.

Faith Reflection:

The Bible calls us to “love the non-citizen as yourself” (Lev. 24:22) and commands the humane and equal treatment of immigrants on more than 30 occasions. The Night of 1,000 Conversations is a great opportunity for Christians of various political backgrounds to evaluate immigration policy, dialogue together and find common ground on immigration reform.

Action:

Visit the Night of 1,000 Conversations website to discover more information, find an event occurring in your area or volunteer to lead a conversation. After registering as a conversation leader or participant, please email Krista Zimmerman () to keep us informed of your involvement and to request faith-based immigration resources for discussion.