CRC Leaders, Others Pray for the Dreamers

U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced an eventual end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an Obama-era executive action which aimed to provide temporary protection from deportation for young immigrants. In his action, President Trump gave Congress until March 2018 to create a legislative solution before these individuals will lose their protections and become at risk of deportation.

The Office of Social Justice of the Christian Reformed Church, which was mandated by Synod 2010 to "seek to reform laws and practices concerning the treatment of immigrants that appear to be unduly harsh or unjust," issued this statement in response to the announcement:

“The Office of Social Justice mourns with the millions who are impacted by the President’s announcement to terminate the DACA program in the coming months. As followers of Jesus, we deeply lament the uncertainty and injustice that so many young immigrants are experiencing in the wake of the decision to end the DACA program. In Scripture, God’s call to 'welcome the stranger' is clear and unequivocal — and so is the truth that 'the stranger' often brings a blessing.

“Dreamers (as the  young people under the DACA program are called) have brought enormous blessings to our churches, communities, neighborhoods, and economies. We are grieving with the almost 800,000 young immigrants who will lose critical protections and opportunities given by DACA, unless Congress acts.

“We call on Congress to swiftly and decisively offer a legislative solution to this devastating situation.”

Late last week, as Trump’s decision was in the offing, OSJ coordinated a conference call with many of its supporters, urging the president to protect “the dreamers” who were allowed to live and work in the U.S. under the Obama administration.

Inviting people to attend the prayer call, Rev. Kate Kooyman, from the Office of Social Justice, wrote “We believe that immigrants are a blessing, and we want to turn to God to pray for the young immigrants we know and love, for protection, dignity, and hope. In the midst of disunity, fear, and bigotry, we invite you to join in a prayer conference call where faith leaders in the Immigrants Are a Blessing Not a Burden movement will lead prayers of lament, supplication, and hope for DACA the future of  dreamers.”

The DACA program was implemented in 2012 and currently offers  young undocumented individuals temporary protection from deportation and work permits. Ten state attorney generals called on the Trump administration to terminate the program by Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Yolanda, a DACA recipient, shared, “I am studying to become a social worker, both to honor my parents and this country I call home. We all have the ability to contribute to this country and DACA has allowed us to do that.”

She continued, “There is a lot of fear in the community about what’s to come if DACA is eliminated. I hope and pray that Congress finds a way for us to get right with the law.”

Colin Watson, director of ministries and administration for the CRCNA, shared this subject is close to his heart because he is an immigrant who grew up in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana) in South America. He lifted in prayer immigrant families who rely economically on DACA recipients being able to work legally and the mixed status families that live under the threat of deportation under the U.S. “broken” immigration system.

Rev. Reggie Smith, director of Office of Social Justice and Office of Race Relations, which coordinated the call, prayed, “Jesus, there is a growing fever gripping some in this nation — xenophobia. Fear can only be driven out by love — your love. Your mercy invites us to be a part of your family. Work in the hearts of your people, oh God.”

Eddy Aleman, coordinator of Hispanic ministries for the Reformed Church in America, said, “Your Word is clear that we need to love our neighbors from different places.”

He continued to pray for political leaders, calling on Congress to find the moral courage to pass a legislation reforming the immigration system, and that President Trump would govern with wisdom and compassion.

Rudy Gonzalez, who serves with Office of Race Relations, prayed, “Hear us Lord as we cry out to you. We know you are a God of justice. I pray that your church would wake up and hear your voice of care and concern for the poor, foreigner, fatherless, widow.”

Rev. Sandra Van Opstal from Grace and Peace Community CRC in Chicago, prayed, “We come to you today with hopes, dreams, pain, and frustration. We just tell you that we need you, God. We pray you’d give the church courage and that we would encounter the God who compels us to welcome the stranger.”

The phone call concluded with a call to action, urging people to be in touch with their representatives and senators to support the Dream Act of 2017, which would provide permanent protection for DACA recipients.

Especially now that the fate of the Dreamers hangs in the balance, take action here: http://p2a.co/e713wLE
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