Dear Governor Abbott:
We, the undersigned faith leaders in the Greater Houston area value the diversity of Houston and want all Houston residents to feel safe and free from fear. While we realize that it is popular in certain circles to seem “tough” on undocumented immigrants, the current efforts by your office are immoral and go against what we believe as people of faith and value as Americans.
As it is now, our city and county law enforcement personnel are doing all they can to prevent violent crime and to make our area safe. Diverting limited resources from these aims puts people at risk. The actions of your office foster a culture of fear. A simple, routine traffic stop could lead to separating families and deportation. Moreover, the threat of detention and deportation will make it less likely for people to come forward with evidence to prevent violent crime.
Our sacred texts are full of admonitions to protect the stranger and the immigrant. We are called on to look after the most vulnerable in society and to show them compassion. It is indisputable that our national immigration policies are in need of revision. The current situation is untenable. We rely on undocumented immigrants as a crucial labor source in our economy and they are an invaluable part of our community. While we wait for sensible immigration solutions, it makes no sense to terrorize our city and strong arm local authorities.
The threat of denying money for needed programs makes your office’s actions even more morally reprehensible. You will be punishing people who benefit from those programs even though they have done nothing to deserve it. That is the very definition of injustice. The money denied to these programs is our money, paid with our tax dollars and approved by our elected officials.
It is our hope and prayer that you and your office will relent from pursuing these efforts. In our traditions, mercy and compassion are our highest values. We trust that you share these values and implore you to do the right thing.
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Jonathan C. Page
First Congregational Church of Houston
The Reverend Lisa Hunt
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Houston
Rev. William R. Taylor
United Methodist Church
Rev. Will Reed
First United Methodist Church, Pasadena
Rev. Keatan King
St. Philip Presbyterian Church, Houston
Rev. Vicki Gibbs
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, Houston
Rev. Dr. Becky Edmiston-Lange
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston
Rev. Kelly Sullivan
First United Methodist Church, Pasadena
Rev. Beverly Snedeker
Presbyterian Church, USA
Rev. Carolyn Allen
Memorial Drive Christian Church, Houston
Rev. D. Darnell Fennell
Just Love Church (UCC/DOC), Houston
Rev. Troy Treash
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, Houston
Rev. Jonathan Britt
St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, Houston
Larry E. Lutz
President, Dignity /Houston
Rabbi Steven M. Gross
Houston Congregation for Reformed Judaism
Rev. Dr. Jim Bankston
United Methodist Church
The Rev. Dr. Guinn Blackwell-Eagleson
Presbyterian Church, USA
Rev. Marty Troyer
Houston Mennonite Church
Myokei Caine-Barrett, Shonin
Myoken-ji Temple/Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Texas
Rabbi Joshua Herman
Congregation Beth Israel, Houston
The Rev. Fred Clarkson
St. Timothy Episcopal Church, Houston
Rev. Troy Johnson
Fresh Start Community Church of Houston
Rev. Dr. T. Randall Smith
United Methodist Church
Rev. Donna Renfro
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church, Woodlands
Rev. J. Ernest Turney
Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, Houston
Rev. Matthew Hudman
Memorial Drive Christian Church, Houston
Rev. Stephanie Synder
Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, Houston
David Atwood
Pax Christi Houston
Rev. Jenni Martin Fairbanks
Just Love (UCC/DOC) Houston
Sister Ceil Roeger, OP
Dominican Sisters of Houston
Rabbi Gideon Estes
Congregation Or Ami, Houston
Rev. Mak Kneebone
Plymouth United Church of Christ, Spring
Yusuf Shere
Council on American Islamic Relations, Houston
Rev. Dr. Richard L. White
First United Methodist Church, Katy
Rev. Laura Mayo
Covenant Baptist Church, Houston
Rev. Emily Everett
First United Methodist Church, Pasadena
Rev. Steve Capper
Lord of the Streets, Houston
Rev. Gaelyn Godwin
Houston Zen Center/ Auspicious Cloud Temple
Rev. Lori Dirk Keaton
United Church of Christ
Dr. Sylvia Richards, Minister of Counseling and Community Life
First Congregational Church of Houston
The Rev. Helen M Havens
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Houston
Rev. Barbara Lewis
The Episcopal Church
Dr. B. Glenn Wilkerson
President, The ARK Group
Rev. Professor Les Switzer
United Church of Christ
Rev. Ashley Dellagiacoma
KINDRED Lutheran Church, Houston
The Rev. Dr. David Mason
Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ
Rev. David Pantermuehl
Grace United Church of Christ, Houston
Rev. Joshua Lawrence
Friedens United Church of Christ, Beasley
Rev. W. Jeffrey Campbell
St. John United Methodist Church, Houston
Rev. Georgia Chambers
Chaplain, St. Mary’s Medical Center
Rev. Lynette Ross
Cathedral of Hope Houston (UCC)
Imam Daniel Abdullah Hernandez
ISGH Pearland Islamic Center
Saira Jilani
Chairwoman, An Nisa Hope Center
Rev. Susan Buchanan
United Methodist Church
Rev. Denise Junious
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, Houston
Elder Shon D. Stewart
Freedom Church Houston
Rev. William C. Royster
United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Rashaan L. Nowell
Un-Orthodox
Rev. J. Michelle Mathis
Agape for All Ministries
Rev. Ruth Seeliger
Foundation for Contemporary Theology
Rev. Jim Herrington
Executive Director, Mission Houston
Rev. Tim Marquez
Pathways Church of Houston (PCUSA)
Rev. Scott Moore
Texas Annual Conference, United Methodist Church
Rev. Jane Wenninger
United Church of Christ
The Rev. Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis
St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Houston
Rev. Don A. Storey, Sr.
United Methodist Church
The Rev. Eileen O’Brien
Episcopal Chaplain, University of Houston
Mustafaa Carroll
Executive Director, Council on American Islamic Relations, Houston
Rev. Angela Anderson
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston
The Rev. Stacy Stringer
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Houston
Rev. Helen P. DeLeon
Webster Presbyterian Church, Webster
The Rev. Brandon Peete
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Houston
Imam Waleed Basyouni
Clear Lake Islamic Center, Clear Lake
Rev. Dr. C. Clay Pickens
Brentwood Baptist Church, Houston
Rev. Michael Dunn
First Christian Church, Houston
Rabbi Samantha Kahn
Congregation Emanu El, Houston
The Rev. James L. Grace
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Houston