A testament to organizing hope, VOICE, ACTION, and the National Association of Evangelicals met with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to discuss the impact and future of immigration policy.
The leaders recognized the governor for his opposition to proposed State Department of Education rules that would have required the determination and collection of the immigration status of Oklahoma students.
The governor responded with curiosity as leaders shared how law-abiding members of their congregations are being deported, and the impact of immigration enforcement on foreign-born priests in the Catholic Archdiocese.
The discussion followed a yearlong civic academy campaign, “Who is my Neighbor?,” with over 550 people that confronted immigration misinformation with firsthand accounts from immigrants and refugees.
During the meeting, the leaders handed the governor over 650 letters from constituents in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, urging him to work with elected officials to protect immigrant workers and to oppose measures that discourage immigrant labor or criminalize families who contribute to the state. Each pastor also delivered letters from their individual (Catholic, Lutheran, UCC) judicatory leaders. These included a letter from Archbishop Paul Coakley, who was elected President of the USCCB the day prior.
In his letter to Governor Stitt, Archbishop Coakley raised:
“We know that the issue of immigration is a complex one, and
we know that every person, regardless of status, is a beloved child of God.
Our immigrant brothers and sisters are an integral part of our communities, workplaces, religious organizations and schools. It is essential to approach this topic with compassion and a commitment to finding solutions that balance security with the human rights and dignity of all every person.”
According to The Oklahoman, "The Rev. Lori Walke, senior pastor of Mayflower Congregational Church-UCC, said the letter-writing campaign helped show how important the issue of immigration is to many Oklahomans and religious leaders."
The leaders secured a commitment from Governor Stitt to meet again before the end of the year.
Hundreds of Oklahomans Share Concerns on Immigration in Letters to Gov. Stitt, The Oklahoman [pdf]