President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

May 18, 2006

To the Honorable President George W. Bush,

I write to you today on behalf of the International Communion of Charismatic Churches.  Our churches presently extend to six continents and over 240 bishops.  We represent several million Christian believers the world over.  It is therefore the hope of the ICCC that careful consideration is given to the development of policy involving the immigration of our great nation.

We recognize that border security is a complex issue with seemingly few clear and easy solutions.  However, there must be a humane and reasonable compromise made on behalf of the millions of immigrants who have come to our land for safety from oppression and poverty.  Most of those have made productive lives for themselves and their families; they have voiced their willingness to become tax paying, law abiding citizens.  We encourage an easier process to citizenship from our neighboring nations.  We feel mass deportation would be an ill advised and inhumane response to the crisis.

For the illegal immigrants who in any way violate any of the laws of our nation after arrival in our country, then certainly applicable laws of deportation would apply.  We are not encouraging nor condoning the breaking of laws.  We are seeking a Christian and fair way of receiving those who come to our borders.  Again, I emphasize that the solution is in a fairer, faster, and easier process to enter legally.

As long as it is easier and faster to enter in an illegal way, desperate people will continue to do so.  We must find a way to be immigrant friendly without compromising the security of our nation.  It seems that our southern border is being unfairly singled out, while little attention is given to the entrances from seaports and our northern border, which have each been used improperly by terrorists in the past to gain entrance and create harm to our nation.

Securing all of our borders and ports of entry is certainly worthy of priority.  It is our prayer and hope, however, that in that process no one will be unfairly scrutinized or treated in a way that robs the dignity of life from them.  That is why we urge all businesses to operate within the law as it relates to immigrant workers so that they are never taken advantage of and used in a way degrading or reminiscent of slavery.

Our great nation has always stood as a beacon to the world that our borders are open to all.  I pray that in these days of political posturing and divisive partisanship that we will not overreact and punish those who are genuinely seeking refuge within our borders.

We pray for you as our nations’ leader for God to give you guidance and wisdom in these and all matters.  We also pray for you to remain bold in your convictions and true to your relationship with God.

Thank you for your consideration of these matters.  Our prayers are with you.

Sincerely,
Bishop David R Huskins Th.D. D.D.
Presiding Bishop
International Communion of Charismatic Churches