Christian Reflection and Prayer

The nation’s attention has been focused on the humanitarian
crisis unfolding at the southern border. Vulnerable children
and their families are fleeing harm and violence in Central
America, voluntarily turning themselves in to border patrol
agents in the hopes of finding safety and shelter in the United
States. While politicians have spent countless hours on TV
debating the issue and assigning blame, nobody is offering
any solutions that offer help to the “widows and orphans in
distress”

27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father
means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and
refusing to let the world corrupt you.
(James 1:27).  New Living Translation (NLT)

The most egregious example of Washington’s failures was
a vote in the Republican-led House to increase border
security measures and end the DACA program. Everyone
acknowledges this legislation was a messaging tool –
members wanted people to think they were doing something
to respond to the gridlock and inaction that have defined this
Congress, especially on immigration-related issues. With
members of Congress leaving Washington for a month-long
recess, a long-term plan for addressing this challenge
remains elusive. What hasn’t changed is the reality of
vulnerable kids – threatened by violence and possible death
running scared for their lives down a very dangerous path.

When you see your representatives out and about in your
community this month, tell them we need to care for orphans
in distress. Demand that Congress respond to this crisis with
compassion and wisdom rather than political posturing.

In faith,
(The Sojourners Immigration Team)