Editor’s note: Illinois Mennonite Conference sent this letter to all of their conference’s congregations.

A Call to Stand with Dreamers…and our congregations who minister with them

On September 5, 2017, President Trump rescinded the immigration policy entitled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The primary aim of the program was to bring relief to several thousand Dreamers.[1] The decision to rescind the program is estimated to impact over 800,000 young people in the U.S. This will leave them vulnerable and will place them at risk for deportation. We, the signatories of this statement, believe that the decision is inconsistent with our faith as followers of Jesus. We stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters, and particularly with IMC congregations who have, and who minister to, those affected by the continuing uncertainty of this program.

As Jesus’ followers we resist all forms of injustice as we welcome all who are impacted by injustice. We recognize that the Trump administration’s action has placed Dreamers and their families at greater risk for deportation. Dreamers registered to receive the protection of this policy and trusted that the U.S. government was acting in good faith in the establishment of the policy. Now, that information could be used against them and their families. We recognize that policies change as Administrations change. Yet, Article 22 and 23 in the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective calls us to be witness to the State when State actions conflict with our commitments as Jesus’ followers.

Illinois Mennonite Conference values the diversity within our conference as we serve a wide variety of congregations. Along with multiple immigrant congregations, many other churches have participants or know first-hand, people who are deeply impacted by this change in policy. We are speaking up and standing side by side with them as they face these new challenges, and as we follow the Biblical teaching on welcoming the stranger in our midst (Mat. 25:34,35; Lev. 19:33-34, and Jer. 22:3).

[1] “Dreamers” is a word used to describe people who were brought to the U.S. undocumented as minors, and were raised and educated in this country.

Signatories:

Michael Danner, conference minister
Martin Navarro, associate conference minister
Don Rheinheimer, moderator, on behalf of the Missional Leadership Team
Ric Hudgens, moderator elect