This statement was affirmed by the LMC Bishop Elder Team Feb. 27 as a resource for that Anabaptist body’s bishops.

To the government of the United States, while we acknowledge any nation’s concern to create laws regulating immigration and to appropriately enforce these laws:

— We lament that the current system in the United States is fundamentally broken and unjust. Many come to this country seeking refuge from oppression. Others seek relief from poverty. They come because employers need and rely on their hard work. They contribute to our society and its prosperity.

Yet it is very difficult for them to become legal. They are subjected to demonization, slander and scapegoating. They become pawns used by both Democrats and Republicans to garner votes. They easily fall prey to those who would take advantage of them.

This is what the Lord says, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4).

— We bear witness that God requires prosperous nations like the United States to aid the poor and needy. This is a moral obligation for which God will require an accounting. Hear the Word of God: “Behold, this was the guilt of . . . Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy” (Ezekiel 16:49).

— We declare that how a nation enforces its laws is also a matter of ­morality. Separation of families, hur­ried deportations into hostile or oppressive circumstances and a lack of regard for basic human dignity are things God will judge. As our Scriptures teach, “whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31).

Why is this so? Because we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). And so how we treat the image speaks to how we regard the original, God. Lack of legal standing does not justify oppression. Rather, everyone should be treated with dignity and respect and with concern for their well-being.

— Finally, we want you to understand that we, who are the people of God, living among all the nations of the world, have a mandate from God beyond what is required of you. Our God “loves the sojourner, giving them food and clothing.” And as the passage goes on to instruct us that we also are to “love the sojourner” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). The Lord tells us, “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do them wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love them as yourself” (Leviticus 19:33-34). This is a part of what it means to know the Lord (Jeremiah 22:15-16).

This is how we are faithful to Jesus (Luke 12:33). We feed, clothe, house and give refuge to all, regardless of their legal status. We also seek to help these come into line with the laws of this land. Yet the recent revoking of the Department of Homeland Security’s “sensitive locations” policy, so that ICE agents now have access to church locations, makes this ministry more difficult as it instills fear of apprehension so that those in need stay away. We ask that you rescind this policy change.

As followers of Jesus, we continue to pray for you as leaders to have wisdom in the decisions you make. And we pray for the well-being and peace of our nation.

William Higgins works for LMC in theological education and Anabaptist Christian identity formation.