Refugees and migrants: Compassion in the Old and New Testaments

Echo opinion - John Compere, in Baird, TX,  letter:  "Solutions needed at southern border", published in the Texas newspaper Abilene Reporter news. 

The author of this opinion letter calls on us to remember our Christian heritage.  It's not only about Christians. Remember the Old Testament Israelites were abandoned in the desert. 

"God performed miracles, leading the Israelites out of slavery, away from the cruel hand of the Egyptians. He set them free. Free from oppression. Free from captivity. Free from bondage."

To the editor of Abilene Reporter: 

Managing migrant surges at the southern US border requires sensible solutions - not political posturing that accomplishes nothing but more divisiveness, and exacerbates the suffering of refugees who are seeking refuge from corruption and violence.

Both political parties - Republicans and Democrats- have neglected immigration law reform for too long.

Single adults and most families stopped at the border continue to be returned under a public health order issued at the COVID19 pandemic outset. Moreover, a historically low refugee cap still is being maintained, even though President Biden pledged to increasing the numbers. Unaccompanied children are allowed to safely and temporarily remain.

The president has publicly discouraged migrants fleeing other countries from coming until longer-term solutions can be worked out.

Migration flows are surging for the third time in seven years. Immigration increases when the weather changes. Numbers include immigrants stuck at the border awaiting asylum claims the previous administration failed to process. Shelter dismantling by the previous administration has exacerbated migrant management.

US immigration laws are antiquated. There has been no major reform by Congress for decades. Politicians need to stop faulting others and fulfill their public responsibility by providing resolutions rather than recriminations. Blame-gaming does not serve the country's best interest.

The 43rd president, Republican and Texan George W. Bush recognized the humanitarian dilemma observing these people “... are willing to leave their homes and leave their families and risk everything to come to America” because “America remains a beacon of liberty and the most hope fill society the world has ever known.”

Christians must remember Jesus preached empathy for the little children “... do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16).

— John Compere, in Baird Texas