On Friday, January 27, Church World Service announced that 2,000 Religious Leaders sent a letter to President Trump opposing the anticipated refugee announcement. Interim General Secretary Dr. Susan Gillies and other American Baptist leaders signed the letter.

As noted by Church World Service:

More than 2,000 religious leaders from across the country signed a letter to President Donald Trump in support of refugee resettlement in the United States and in opposition to any policy change that would bar refugees based on their religion or nationality. A portion of the letter, which can be viewed in its entirety here, reads:

“The U.S. Refugee Resettlement program has been and should remain open to those of all nationalities and religions who face persecution on account of the reasons enumerated under U.S. law. We oppose any policy change that would prevent refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, or individuals who practice Islam and other faiths from accessing the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Proposals that would have the U.S. State Department disqualify refugees from protection based on their nationality or religion fly in the face of the very principles this nation was built upon, contradict the legacy of leadership our country has historically demonstrated, and dishonor our shared humanity.”

Since 1946, Church World Service has supported refugees, immigrants and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty.