How do we, as followers of Jesus, show mercy toward our immigrant neighbors? First, justice demands that a number of people here illegally be sent back, particularly those who have committed crimes. But mercy demands that: 1) we condemn the racism and violent actions of ICE; 2) we insist each detainee receive due process so mistakes are not made; 3) mercy must temper justice in cases of documented physical danger in immigrants’ home countries; and 4) people welcomed into this country as refugees legally cannot now have their status arbitrarily canceled, as the current administration has done to millions of people.  

We must speak and act against violent ICE actions, not only because of mercy but also because their actions are contrary to the U.S. Constitution. We must advocate for merciful change in our broken immigration system so that potential immigrants can legally enter and build new lives here. I am the proud son of an immigrant and attend Homestead Mennonite Church.

We have a recent example of a merciful approach to immigration that was beneficial to immigrants and the entire country. In 1986, President Reagan signed the Im­-
migration Reform and Control Act, which offered a pathway to legal status for those who had been in the U.S. before 1982. Illegal immigrants had to register, have a clean record and pay a financial penalty. Three million people took advantage of this program, and 2.7 million were accepted for legal status. This did not hurt the economy; in fact, it rose more than expected. A new amnesty offer, such as in 1986, plus a reform of our overall immigration system, is the most merciful biblical solution.   

Randy A. Natalino, Homestead, Fla.