Evangelical Immigration Table September 11, 2017 The Honorable Paul Ryan Council for Christian Colleges Speaker of the House and Universities H-232 The U.S. Capitol Ethics and Religious Liberty Washington, DC 20515 Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention Dear Speaker Ryan: Korean Churches for Community Development/Faith We are writing to support your efforts to find a workable solution for Dreamers, and Community Empowerment those young undocumented immigrants in our country who were brought here by their parents and who contribute great things to our society. Many of these young National Association of immigrants are currently protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Evangelicals (DACA) program, but we share your concerns that an executive order is a National Hispanic Christian problematic tool to accomplish these policy objectives. The complexity of this Leadership Conference particular issue begs for a legislative solution and demands leadership on Capitol Hill. We are also calling on President Trump to ensure these people are protected The Wesleyan Church while a legislative solution is finalized. World Relief We have seen immigrants strengthen our great nation throughout its history, including their positive impact on our churches, our communities, and our economy. One group of immigrants who exemplify these benefits are young people brought to our country by their parents as children. We carry particular concern for the future of these Dreamers because they have much to offer America. They were brought here without their consent, and in most cases the United States is the only home they have known. We know that these young people who stepped forward in good faith are not threats to America. By enrolling in DACA, they already have submitted to screening for criminal activity and potential threats to national security. As a country, we need to focus on real solutions for our broken immigration system that address safety, security and economic fairness. Deporting these young people runs counter to these priorities. These young people have shown through their great determination and fortitude that our nation is better off because of their presence. They are leading in our churches and our communities. They are studying in our universities and creating jobs for American workers. They are paying taxes. We hope that you will work to find solutions that allow these young people to stay in our country long- term and continue to be a blessing to our communities. Now is the time for bold leadership and action. President Trump has repeatedly indicated his strong support for these young immigrants, assuring them that they should “rest easy” and that he was “not going to hurt those kids.” President Trump has also said privately, drawing from his experience as a grandfather and a father, that he would “protect these children.” We call on the president to ensure this population is protected while a legislative solution is worked out. We ask you to work with Senate leadership and the White House to develop and pass legislation to protect these young immigrants. The recent introductions of bipartisan, bicameral bills that would provide permanent legislative solutions for Dreamers provide several vehicles for Congress to deal with this issue in a just The Evangelical Immigration Table www.EvangelicalImmigrationTable.com Evangelical Immigration Table and humane way. We also call on you to work with the White House to ensure that these Dreamers are protected while Congress is finalizing a permanent legislative solution. Council for Christian Colleges and Universities The Evangelical Immigration Table is a broad coalition of evangelical Ethics and Religious Liberty organizations and leaders advocating for immigration reform consistent with Commission of the Southern biblical principles. As Christians, we believe that all immigrants are made in the Baptist Convention image of God (Genesis 1:27), deserving to be treated with dignity. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find God commanding his people to treat foreigners Korean Churches for Community Development/Faith with special hospitality. In Leviticus 19:33-34, God reminds the Israelites: and Community Empowerment When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. National Association of The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Evangelicals Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord National Hispanic Christian your God. Leadership Conference From Abraham to Paul, many biblical heroes were themselves immigrants, The Wesleyan Church including even Jesus, whose parents brought Him to Egypt to escape persecution World Relief early in his life. As Americans, we are proud that our country has affirmed this biblical principle of valuing and protecting immigrants while also protecting national security. We offer our prayers as you and your advisors make this and countless other important decisions. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals Scott Arbeiter, President, World Relief Shirley V. Hoogstra, President, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Hyepin Im, President & CEO, Korean Churches for Community Development/ Faith and Community Empowerment Jo Anne Lyon, Ambassador, General Superintendent Emerita, The Wesleyan Church Russell Moore, President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference The Evangelical Immigration Table www.EvangelicalImmigrationTable.com Evangelical Immigration Table Three thousand evangelical pastors and leaders (church/organization listed for affiliation purposes only): Council for Christian Colleges Gregorio El Buen Pastor Covenant and Universities Pastor Martinez Church Lake Geneva Wisconsin Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Life Bridge Christian Baptist Convention Pastor (Associate) Jacob Spielbauer Church Green Bay Wisconsin Korean Churches for Community Development/Faith Pastor (Senior) Matt Erickson Eastbrook Church Milwaukee Wisconsin and Community Empowerment National Association of Edgewood Community Evangelicals Pastor (Senior) Roger Knowlton Church Waupun Wisconsin National Hispanic Christian Lighthouse Church and Leadership Conference Pastor (Senior) Marcio Sierra School Madison Wisconsin The Wesleyan Church Pastor (Stephen First Presbyterian World Relief Minister) Natasha Lutes Church Waunakee Wisconsin John Anthony St. John Lutheran Dr. Degiovanni Church Prairie du Sac Wisconsin Thomas Member Guerrasio Eastbrook Church Milwaukee Wisconsin Susan Ramsey, Adj Asst Professor PhD Carthage College Kenosha Wisconsin Assistant Professor of Philosophy Eric Hagedorn St. Norbert College De Pere Wisconsin Communications Director Heather Hudson Door Creek Church Sun Prairie Wisconsin Community Member Ben Parman Inhabit Inc. Milwaukee Wisconsin Director Tami McLaughlin World Relief Oshkosh Wisconsin Director of Wisconsin Congregational Care Jennifer Oswald Crossview. Church Rapids Wisconsin Director of Online Concordia University Experience Dan Baker Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin District Superintendent Dan Bickel Wesleyan Church Middleton Wisconsin Field Worker Jana Holland Modern Day Missions Green Bay Wisconsin The Evangelical Immigration Table www.EvangelicalImmigrationTable.com Evangelical Immigration Table Courtney InterVarsity Christian Graphic Designer Letkewicz Fellowship/USA Madison Wisconsin Council for Christian Colleges Leader Kellie Strong Anchor Covenant Lake Geneva Wisconsin and Universities Ethics and Religious Liberty Member Kristin Novotny Spring Lake Church Green Bay Wisconsin Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention Member Tanya Amos Pathways Church Appleton Wisconsin Korean Churches for Community Development/Faith Community Church and Community Empowerment Member Cherie Aronson Oshkosh Oshkosh Wisconsin National Association of Evangelicals Member Amber Eckenrod Blackhawk Church Madison Wisconsin National Hispanic Christian Member Priscilla Coe Coulee Life Church Onalaska Wisconsin Leadership Conference The Wesleyan Church Crossroads Community Member Tammy Roerdink Church Sheboygan Wisconsin World Relief Member Heather Garrison ELCA Madison Wisconsin New Member Angela Hanson First Lutheran ELCA Richmond Wisconsin Menomonee Member Rebeca Borrero Northbrook Church Falls Wisconsin Member Deane Anderson Presbyterian Church Madison Wisconsin Member Christine Zastrow St. John Vianney Janesville Wisconsin Member Mary Sokel St. John's Menasha Wisconsin Kathryn St. Lawrence Catholic Member Campbell Church Port Edwards Wisconsin Member Brenda Her Victory Hmong Alliance Madison Wisconsin Member Laurie Mandich Willow Creek Lake Geneva Wisconsin Member Shannon Pichler Epikos MKE Milwaukee Wisconsin Member Angela Garber Meadowbrook Milwaukee Wisconsin Ministry Assistant Debra Miller Door Creek Church Madison Wisconsin Owner Ashley Seneff Tailored Salon Milwaukee Wisconsin The Evangelical Immigration Table www.EvangelicalImmigrationTable.com Evangelical Immigration Table Fountain of Life Partner John Egleston Covenant Church Madison Wisconsin Council for Christian Colleges InterVarsity Christian and Universities President and CEO Tom Lin Fellowship Madison Wisconsin Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Staff Coordinator - InterVarsity Christian Baptist Convention Link Tanya Van Horne Fellowship Verona Wisconsin Korean Churches for