Just now, the judge from the Greenbelt, Md. court issued an injunction that keeps Executive Order 13888, issued last September, from going forward to require consent letters from states and local entities in order to continue to resettle refugees!
One week ago today (see pictures above), Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries led multiple faith partners in expressing support for refugees outside the courthouse in Greenbelt, Md. before oral arguments were heard in the case brought by three faith-based national refugee resettlement organizations (including Church World Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) against the Executive Order 13888. Read the press release on the Judge’s decision as just announced
here
.
To this point, 42 state Governors (including a nearly equal number of Republicans and Democrats) and 100+ local leaders had issued consent letters in support of ongoing resettlement. Only one governor, from Texas, has stated a desire to not to continue resettle refugees. States that had not yet issued consent information include Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Wyoming, Hawaii, Alabama, and Mississippi. Because of today’s court ruling, these letters are no longer required at this time. However,
now remains a wonderful time for Disciples in those states—and every state!—to publicly declare your support for refugees!
Thanks to the MANY Disciples of Christ pastors who have offered their public support and statements for refugees
in recent weeks—including Regional Minister Andy Mangum of Texas, who voiced his faith commitment to refugees in a letter to his Governor and state leaders
here
.
