US Franciscans call on government to reverse refugee policy

(Vatican Radio)  Franciscans in the United States have expressed their dismay for the government’s announcement to ‘pause’ Refugee Resettlement.

In response to President Trump’s plan, over 1,000 Franciscans signed a statement resisting a proposed Muslim registry and in support of refugees.

The statement was released by the Franciscan Action Network (FAN), a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty and human rights.

Please find below the FAN press release:
 
Washington, D.C. - The announcement by the Trump Administration to "pause" refugee resettlement for 120 days, effectively halting the resettlement process is deeply disturbing to Franciscans all over the country. The United States must not turn our backs on refugees from around the world at the very time when they are most in need of safety from war and persecution.

By effectively stopping the resettlement of Syrian refugees and narrowly preferencing religious minorities, this announcement is tantamount to the Muslim ban that was threatened during the Presidential campaign. This is a clear case of religious discrimination and must be decried as such which is why the Franciscan Action Network established Franciscan Commitment for Resistance of Muslim registry, which currently has over 1,000 individual signers and one religious community with over 1,000 members.

We stand with our refugee brothers and sisters and all those who are seeking protection. Providing protection to people seeking safety is one of our nation's proudest and longest standing traditions which we are morally obligated to uphold. This action goes back on America's promise to refugees and abdicates America's leadership role on human rights.

"The Gospels call us to welcome the stranger, so as people of faith, we advocate and support the rights and dignity of all people, especially immigrants and refugees. The United States was built by immigrants and we must continue to protect our immigrant and refugee sisters and brothers and keep families together." said Patrick Carolan, Executive Director Franciscan Action Network.

Regardless of a refugee's country of origin, everyone is equally deserving of dignity, welcome, and protection from harm. We call on the administration to do everything in their power to reverse this announcement.