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Religious Leaders in Colorado Unite to Support Immigrants

LEADER| Gina McAfee.(Photos/Courtesy AFSC)

JOINT DOCUMENT RELEASED

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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More than 200 religious leaders in Colorado, representing various faith traditions, released a document outlining ten “truths” aimed at countering the “falsehoods, inaccuracies, and mischaracterizations” about immigrants in the United States. The document, signed by 231 pastors, priests, rabbis, and chaplains, highlights the economic impact and civic contributions of immigrant populations.

This initiative is part of a broader campaign to combat the growing stigma surrounding immigrant communities. “Immigrants are part of our families, neighborhoods, and religious communities. They are our friends and coworkers. They work in the businesses we frequent. Their children are classmates of our children,” the signatories emphasized.

Supported by research, statistics, and other documented sources, the religious leaders presented ten key affirmations. Among them, they emphasized that immigrants pay taxes, help address labor shortages, boost the economy, and, in most cases, do not receive public benefits. They also noted that the legal immigration process is complex and costly, and that migration reasons are varied and significant.

(Vídeo/El Comercio de Colorado)

The Negative Impact of Mass Deportations

The religious leaders underscored that most immigrants respect the law and contribute to the safety of their communities, and therefore do not pose a threat to national or public security. “By proclaiming the truth, we aim to create a more honest and objective narrative to guide decision-making at both local and national levels,” the leaders stated.

They also warned of the negative consequences mass deportations would have on the construction, agriculture, and hospitality industries. Reverend Mark Meeks, of Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church in Denver, expressed his support for immigrants, saying, “They bring friendship, they are families working together to live fully, and they are people of faith who strengthen the moral values of our nation.”

AFSC and the Interfaith Immigration Network

The initiative was coordinated by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in Colorado and the Colorado Interfaith Immigration Network. The release of the declaration coincided with the Colorado State Senate’s initial approval of a bill limiting local authority cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Just hours earlier, a federal judge in Colorado had temporarily blocked the use of the Alien Enemies Act for carrying out deportations. At the national level, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that, about deportations, “we are very confident that every action taken by this administration is within the bounds of the law.”