To the editor:

Dear Friends,

We, the Dominican Sisters of Peace have from our very beginnings ministered with immigrant communities. First, they were Irish and German. Then families displaced by wars and poverty. We have received families coming from Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Somalia, the Middle East, and Africa. Most of us are from immigrant families. Today in our ministries we walk with immigrant families living in undeserved fear of family separation and forced displacement.

We are compelled by the Gospel of Jesus to stand firmly in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters and defend their rights and their dignity as Children of God. We demand that our US Government provide fair and humane treatment rather than the hate-filled narrative which fills our media.

Our Scriptures command us to ensure a generous welcome for strangers and aliens. Over and over, God declares his favorites to be foreigners, widows and orphans. Those who are vulnerable, oppressed and poor are to be favored and cared for as our own.

Standing with and for immigrants is not charity, it is justice as defined by the Gospel. It also benefits all of us. History proves that it is immigrants that have brought great growth and prosperity to the United States. These families contribute taxes, needed skills, values, and rich cultural traditions.

What is most urgently needed from our Congress is less hate speech and more honest and meaningful immigration reform.

We, Dominican Sisters of Peace stand proudly with our immigrant families.

Peace to all,

Gemma Doll OP and Jane Belanger, OP 

Heartland Farm

Dominican Sisters of Peace, Justice Promoter