Dear Members of the House of Representatives

The Episcopal Church has historically advocated for the fair and just treatment of immigrants – a position rooted in our adherence to the biblical mandate to extend hospitality to the alien and stranger.  Episcopalians make further promises at Baptism “to seek and serve Christ in all persons” and “to respect the dignity of every human being.”  Consistent with this understanding, our Church has advocated for an immigration system which is comprehensive and balanced and which considers the rights and needs of immigrants even as we seek to keep our nation secure. It is for these reasons that The Episcopal Church strongly opposes H.R. 4088, introduced by Representatives Heath Shuler (NC) and Brian Bilbray (CA). 

This proposed legislation focuses exclusively on enforcement without considering the human and practical consequences.  I urge you to oppose any action which would bring this bill to the House for a vote, including attempts to compel a vote on the bill by way of a discharge petition.  Should the bill reach the floor, I ask that you vote against it.

Our opposition to the bill is based upon several highly questionable provisions including an untested system requiring employers to verify the legal status of workers, the detention of legitimate asylum seekers, the empowerment of local law enforcement personnel to take on the unwelcome and possibly unconstitutional task of enforcing immigration laws, penalizing persons carrying out legitimate humanitarian work, and expanding the capacity to detain persons without due consideration of their family circumstances. We simply do not believe that our flawed immigration system would be remedied by the changes proposed in H.R. 4088.  Instead, the result would be a harsher system devoid of any consideration for principles of fairness and compassion. 

Finally, H.R. 4088 is anathema to the principles which The Episcopal Church has embraced in its advocacy for a just and humane immigration system.  We believe that these proposed modifications to the current system move in the wrong direction, and are likely to separate rather than unite families, create conditions for racial profiling, and are divisive and will foster fear and suspicion within communities.  I urge you not to allow this legislation to move forward.

I remain

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori