Stop the Round-ups, Detentions, and Mass-Deportations now!

Families should not be separated and communities torn apart! 

As a Unitarian Universalist organization, UUSJ holds that all people have inherent worth and dignity and should be treated with respect and compassion wherever possible. We envision a just, compassionate, and sustainable world community. One where all people can thrive and flourish.

For us, “all people” includes immigrants, and it guarantees their fundamental civil and human rights as well as protections under U.S. and international law. In our view, those protections are linked to a prophetic moral frame and tradition rooted in our most ancient stories of refuge and succor.

Since taking office, the new administration has been actively expanding its deportation and detention capacity across the U.S., which has been documented in the media.

We Unitarian Universalists disagree with the incoming administration’s approach to immigration. We name and center the threat to our faith, families, freedoms, and futures. We will not denigrate migrants, refugees, or asylees. We will not condone mass deportations. We reject the constitutional rollbacks these new policies imply.

UUSJ maintains opposition to putting children, families, and communities at risk of separation and trauma for what is—in many cases—a civil violation or misdemeanor (ACLU). It is not a crime to migrate or flee from danger. “Physical presence in the United States without proper authorization is a civil violation, rather than a criminal offense.”

We ask the members of our faith tradition and those who share similar values to urge Members of Congress to take immediate steps to stop the mass round-ups, detentions, and deportations. We make a plea to end the practice of detaining people at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-ins.

Let’s urge Congress to show mercy and compassion when and where the Executive Branch fails to do so. Congress should move swiftly to protect our workplaces, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive spaces and locations, such as houses of worship—our congregations, churches, and fellowships. Stoping the mass round-ups, detentions, and deportations will help.