VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/28/19)—In response to the ongoing crisis on the southern border of the United States, and to refugee policy in general, ABCUSA General Secretary Lee B. Spitzer has added his name to two significant ecumenical letters.

The first letter, composed by the Evangelical Immigration Table of the National Association of Evangelicals, says in part:

“We are deeply troubled by reports of inhumane conditions for children in the custody of the federal government. As evangelical Christians, we believe that all people – regardless of their country of origin or legal status – are made in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect. Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions are inappropriate for anyone in detention, but particularly for children, who are uniquely vulnerable. Jesus reserves some of his strongest words of judgment for those who subject children to harm.”

The letter goes on to advocate for six specific recommendations for a more just and humane treatment of people attempting to enter our country. The full text of the letter can be found here.

The second letter, composed by Church World Service and addressed to U.S. Government leaders, has not yet been made public. It calls for strengthening the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, in cooperation with religious organizations that have been active in this area for decades (such as ABCUSA).

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.