Over 15,000 people have signed a petition accusing President-Elect Trump of violating Christian values. Faithful America is a Christian group that supports a variety of leftist social causes. This petition centered around Trump’s immigration policies which Faithful America views as inhumane. Specifically, Trump has called for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
Faithful America, is an organization of Christians described as supporting social justice causes while opposing “Christian nationalism” and white supremacy. They posted an online petition last week that asks U.S. Catholic leadership “to boldly and publicly stand up to Donald Trump and say ‘NO’ to these inhumane practices,” the group said on its website.
According to their website, Faithful America “We’re sticking up for courageous Christian voices acting for fairness and freedom in every denomination and tradition. We’re fighting for social, economic, and racial justice, standing with the Black Lives Matter movement, and upholding the Gospel’s values of love, equality, and dignity. Together, we’re helping make a difference for immigrants, refugees, the climate, the LGBTQ community, and more.”
“Jesus was clear in his instruction to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, and welcome the stranger,” the activist group wrote. “And as some of the most high-profile Christian leaders in the country, the members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have an opportunity to make a real difference by standing up for our immigrant neighbors.”
They specifically objected to Trump’s mass deportation promise and his reported plans to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest illegals at churches. NBC News reported that Trump plans to halt a policy that keeps ICE agents from arresting illegals at or near so-called sensitive locations. These include places of worship, schools, and hospitals as soon as his first day in office.
The petition, which had 15,470 signatures as of Wednesday morning, calls Trump’s immigration policies “deeply disturbing and a direct violation of our Christian values.” It asks the USCCB to “publicly denounce Trump’s plan to allow ICE officers into our churches and stand up for our immigrant and refugee siblings.” Notably, every member of this group signs their statements with their pronouns.
Other leftist agitators chimed in. Lee Gelernt, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, told reporters “Immigration enforcement has always required a balance. In the past, presidents of both parties have recognized that merely because it may be lawful to make arrests at hospitals and schools doesn’t mean it’s humane or wise public policy.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson clapped back. He said that the president-elect’s immigration policies are about “securing the border right out of the gate. This is what the American people have demanded and what they deserve. They want a secure country. They want a secure border, and we will deliver upon that.” Lindsay Graham also added If you wanna shut down illegal immigration, those coming need to see an outflow by the tens and hundreds of thousands. That will deter. The only policy change that will work is to have mass deportations. Because people will stop coming when they see people leaving.”