Nearly 800 sign open letter to Gov. Abbott
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Press Release

 

For Immediate Release   
Contact: Dan Gordon <mailto:[email protected]>,
617-651-0841  
August 15, 2023 

**Evangelical Women, Catholic Bishop in Texas Urge Compassion and
Dignity in Border Policies**  

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** - Evangelical women and the bishop of El Paso
are among those responding to the loss of life and harsh treatment of,
migrants arriving in Texas. 

We Welcome, a grassroots community of evangelical women, has sent
an open letter
<[link removed]> urging Gov. Greg
Abbott to remember Jesus' call "to see every person as a whole human
made in the image and likeness of God, worthy of the same dignity and
respect that we would show Jesus himself." The letter, which remains
open, had more than 775 signatories when it was sent late last week. 

"The border measures that we are seeing in Texas go against Christian
values that the state has proudly protected in the past such as life and
family," said 

**Tess Clarke**, Director of We Welcome
<[link removed]>. "Inhumane treatment would not
translate into secure borders. We need policies that uphold human
dignity and support the interests of the American people." 

"Our policies along the border should reflect our commitment to
safeguarding human life and upholding the principles of a just and
merciful society," said 

**Mark Seitz, Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso and a Forum board
member**. "As people of faith, we are called to be compassionate to
those who are vulnerable as we protect citizens and immigrants from
those who would threaten their security. The pursuit of justice does not
require the sacrifice of compassion. We must recognize the inherent
dignity of every individual. Our shared responsibility to protect and
uplift life must extend to the vulnerable among us." 

Other Texans of faith are speaking out as well, including members
of Women of Welcome, a community of evangelical women dedicated to
understanding God's heart for the immigrant and refugee through
Scripture. 

"As a fourth generation Texan, I support policies that protect our
state's border from criminal activity. And as a follower of Christ, I
advocate for procedures that honor the God-given dignity and worth of
those desiring to enter," said 

**Christina Crenshaw**, a professor, researcher, writer and speaker who
advocates for the integration of faith and culture. "Our state policies
should not only protect our borders but also uphold the pro-life and
pro-family virtues Texas espouses. We can do both; these are not
mutually exclusive values." 

"Texan hospitality means embracing the stranger with love and care,"
said 

**Jamie Ivey**, an author, speaker and podcast host. "Our border
policies should reflect our commitment to treating all people as God's
creations, with the same respect and empathy we extend to our own
families." 

**Heather MacFayden**, author and host of the "Don't Mom Alone"
parenting podcast, expressed concerns in a comment on a Women of
Welcome Instagram video
<[link removed]>:
"I am saddened by the inhumane treatment of men/women/children created
in the image of God at our Texas border. As the daughter of a politician
(who mentored Mike Pence) I understand the complexities of crafting
solid immigration policies and maintaining safe borders. My prayer for
you and your constituents is to pray for the Holy Spirit to open your
eyes to see the least of these. To treat individuals fleeing violence
with the dignity and care we would hope to receive if we were in a
similar situation. To consider all lives as precious and valued by
God." 

"If Texas leadership claims they are Christian, pro-family, and
pro-life, the policies that they continue to enact along the border are
counter to all of these beliefs," said 

**Bri Stensrud**, Director of Women of Welcome
<[link removed]>. "Children and women are suffering the
consequences of these deterrence measures and face increased
vulnerability while being separated from their fathers and husbands.
Secure borders and compassion are not mutually exclusive concepts. We
can and must do better." (Stensrud is based in Colorado.) 

"My heart aches for the loss of life among migrants in recent weeks, and
for the harsh treatment migrants are enduring. But these faith
leaders' voices are uplifting," said 

**Jennie Murray**, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum.
"We hope Gov. Abbott will listen to them and uphold the dignity of each
human life created in the image of God."  

### 

 

 

 

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