FAITH LEADER STATEMENT ON FAMILY SEPARATION 

Recently, the Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, united in our concern for the well being of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news. 

We affirm the family as a foundational societal structure to support human community and understand the household as an estate blessed by God. The security of the family provides critical mental, physical and emotional support to the development and well being of children. Our congregations and agencies serve many migrant families that have recently arrived in the United States. Leaving their communities is often the only option they have to provide safety for their children and protect them from harm. Tearing children away from parents who have made a dangerous journey to provide a safe and sufficient life for them is unnecessarily cruel and detrimental to the well-being of parents and children.  

As we continue to serve and love our neighbor, we pray for the children and families that will suffer due to this policy and urge the Administration to stop their policy of separating families.  

His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Director of the Ecumenical Office, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America

Mr. Azhar Azeez, President, Islamic Society of North America

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, PA, Chair, Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs

Senior Bishop George E. Battle, Jr., Presiding Prelate, Piedmont Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Bishop H. Kenneth Carter, Jr., President, Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop, Episcopal Church (United States)

The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister & President, United Church of Christ

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. David Guthrie, President, Provincial Elders’ Conference, Moravian Church Southern Province

Mr. Glen Guyton, Executive Director, Mennonite Church USA

The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism

Mr. Anwar Khan, President, Islamic Relief USA

The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, President, Provincial Elders’ Conference, Moravian Church Northern Province

The Rev. Dr.  J. Herbert Nelson II, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

The Rev. Don Poest, Interim General Secretary, The Rev. Eddy Alemán, Candidate for General Secretary, Reformed Church in America

Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick III, Presiding Bishop, The Eighth Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

The Rev. Phil Tom, Executive Director, International Council of Community Churches