Recently, The New York Times published a heartbreaking piece looking at the horrific conditions of child detention centers, currently housing hundreds of young migrant children without their parents.
The facilities reportedly deny the children access to basic hygiene supplies and, according to lawyers, “children are locked in their cells and cages nearly all day long.”
It is a devastating read.
Here’s a look at what some Christian leaders are saying about the crisis and how they are encouraging fellow believers to get involved. (Note: This piece will be updated periodically throughout the day.)
Jen Hatmaker
Author, speaker, podcaster
“The separated children were now alone, being cared for by other young detainees.” Meanwhile DOJ lawyers are arguing that these children do not need soap, toothbrushes, or blankets. Or evidently their parents. My God. https://t.co/BFEgOyYBhd
— JenHatmaker (@JenHatmaker) June 23, 2019
“Border officials said about 200 of the children had been transferred elsewhere but did not say where they had been sent.” This is such a human rights nightmare.
— JenHatmaker (@JenHatmaker) June 23, 2019
We can do SOMETHING. Donate through @togetherrising and share this with everyone you know. This answers the question we’ll answer one day: “What did you do when the US separated children from their parents and sanctioned their abuse and trauma?” @GlennonDoyle https://t.co/D0t1inTCix
— JenHatmaker (@JenHatmaker) June 23, 2019
Dr. Russell Moore
President of the The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
The reports of the conditions for migrant children at the border should shock all of our consciences. Those created in the image of God should be treated with dignity and compassion, especially those seeking refuge from violence back home. We can do better than this. https://t.co/Cv3AmJgypn
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) June 25, 2019
Nichole Nordeman
Singer/songwriter
Hey @Franklin_Graham, every Christmas you speak so convincingly about your heart for innocent children…the least of these…which is why I knew you’d be floored to learn about a place that so desperately needs some of those shoeboxes. I’ll hand deliver. https://t.co/ElCcjIEe8j
— Nichole Nordeman (@nicholenordeman) June 22, 2019
Jonathan Merritt
Writer
This is pure evil, perpetrated by our president with the support of evangelical ministers in desperate need of Jesus. https://t.co/LGv18oMaCK
— Jonathan Merritt (@JonathanMerritt) June 22, 2019
Trillia Newbell
Writer, speaker
This is heartbreaking. https://t.co/HJGtx0XmK7
— Trillia Newbell (@trillianewbell) June 22, 2019
If you've been wondering what you can do to help children being detained, @MatthewSoerens has a helpful thread. It doesn't matter where you fall on the political spectrum, we should all care for these families. https://t.co/AK2Oxm8jS7
— Trillia Newbell (@trillianewbell) June 23, 2019
Matthew Soerens
US Director of Church Mobilization, World Relief
I fear that some Christians (& maybe some elected officials) have bought into the conspiracy theory that asylum seeking families at the border aren't desperate, vulnerable victims of poverty and/or violence, but rather emissaries of their governments intent on harming the US
— Matthew Soerens (@MatthewSoerens) June 24, 2019
Only if that were true might it make sense to cut US foreign assistance (as has happened), as some sort of punishment
(even there, the logic is flawed, because the vast majority of this aid goes not to governments, but to non-governmental organizations, including Christian orgs)
— Matthew Soerens (@MatthewSoerens) June 24, 2019
Anyone who decides to make a journey they know is so dangerous is fleeing something even worse
Some are fleeing persecution for a reason enumerated under US law & will qualify for asylum
Others flee extreme poverty or generalized violence & probably do not qualify for asylum
— Matthew Soerens (@MatthewSoerens) June 24, 2019
But all of them are vulnerable people who have suffered immensely
Cutting aid programs that provide economic opportunity & fight poverty, violence & corruption (as @ajs_us, @WorldVisionUSA, @ENLACEtweets, @IJM & others are doing) will only increase suffering & lead more to flee
— Matthew Soerens (@MatthewSoerens) June 24, 2019
Propaganda
Rapper, speaker
An org already on the ground and partnered up with Mexico based orgs at the southern boarders @preemptivelove https://t.co/X8VLP6DqXZ
— Prop (@prophiphop) June 24, 2019
Daniel Darling
The Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC).
This is unconscionable https://t.co/fZrtr01nqw
— Daniel Darling (@dandarling) June 22, 2019
Jennie Allen
Founder of the If: Gathering
Father James Martin
Jesuit Priest, Writer
"I was a stranger and you did not welcome me" (Mt. 25).
Doctor compares conditions at immigrant holding centers to "torture facilities" @ABC https://t.co/nBSZZGmfvy— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) June 24, 2019
Dr. Susan Reynolds
Catholic Theologian
https://twitter.com/SusanBReynolds1/status/1142438283198259200
Karen Swallow Prior
Writer, Professor
I Believe Every Child is Precious, Except for the Ones We’re Locking Up in Cages – McSweeney’s Internet Tendency https://t.co/hz8BwXqAsh
— Karen Swallow Prior (Notorious KSP) (@KSPrior) June 24, 2019
Austin Channing Brown
Author, speaker
I’m here for the calls to stop mistreating children at the border, but also. I’m here for not mistreating parents and uncles and cousins and aunts and siblings and well… humans. Can we stop mistreating humans by putting them in camps?
Shut it all down.— Austin Channing Brown (@austinchanning) June 24, 2019
Shane Claiborne
Writer, speaker, activist
https://twitter.com/ShaneClaiborne/status/1142686844284481541
