Feb. 15, 2019 Baltimore, Md. – Today, President Trump declared the situation at the border a national emergency, invoking presidential emergency powers to increase border security. While appreciative of his commitment to securing the border, World Relief urges the President to pursue broad-based immigration reform in partnership with Congress.

While avoiding a second shutdown, the president pivoted from seeking a cooperative solution with Congress to escalating the status of the situation at the border to that of a national emergency.

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter commented, “Securing the southern border is essential. But finding a true solution to the complex situation facing our nation’s immigration system requires all parties working in cooperation. We’re concerned that by declaring a national emergency, not only has the president opened an avenue for bypassing true solutions, but also shortchanged those stuck in the immigration system and those seeking to come to the U.S. who need true legislative solutions. Our decades-long failure to find a solution to this issue has put too many children and families at risk, precipitated government shutdowns and polarized the nation on issues that once united us.”

“The president cited violence at the border and the influx of drugs as justification for expediting funds for a wall,” commented World Relief Vice President of Advocacy and Policy Jenny Yang. “We have in fact seen a lower level of crime from immigrants of any legal status than the overall native-born American population, and Border Patrol has reported a 45 percent decrease in apprehensions at the border between FY2000-2018. We urge the president to consider the devastating circumstances driving so many to pursue the legitimate option of seeking asylum legally in the U.S. and offer clear-cut pathways to become legal residents.”

World Relief C.E.O. Tim Breene commented, “World Relief advocates a comprehensive and bipartisan solution to the immigration challenges facing the U.S. – not one solved through invoking emergency powers. The president has had the opportunity to offer once-and-for-all fixes for those in limbo in Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs and those who have otherwise arrived in the U.S. and desire to become lawful residents and eventually citizens.”

Learn more about World Relief at: https://worldrelief.org

Related articles at XPian News: https://xpian.news/category/immigration/

John Ross

John Ross on Saturday, April 23, 2016 launched XPian News, a part of  Daybreak Communications, Inc. Ross is the facilitator of Aurora Christian Ministry Network (ACMN) and a member of the Fox Valley Christian Ministerial Alliance (FVCMA). He serves on the boards of Wayside Cross Ministries and the Kiwanis Club of Aurora. As a follower of Jesus, he has been for some 40 years a member of First Presbyterian Church - Aurora. He has an M.A. - Christian Leadership from Wheaton College Graduate School and undergraduate at Trinity International University.  editor@xpian.news