This Thursday in Washington, DC Memphis immigration Project will be meeting all day with Congressman on the need for legislation to be passed for Immigrant Dreamers with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
We will be sharing several stories of DACA recipients in Memphis who live peaceful and productive lives, and who want to make Memphis a better city than it already is.
We will also be handing each Congressman a letter signed by fifty plus faith, organization, and business leaders asking them to help pass legislation for Immigrant Dreamers.
Why are we going all of way to Washington, DC to advocate for Immigrant Dreamers?
At the heart of why we are going to Washington, DC for our Immigrant brothers and sisters is Biblical Justice.
The Hebrew word for justice, mishpat, occurs in the Old Testament more than 200 times. Its most basic meaning is to acquit or punish each person on the merits of the case, regardless of race or social status.
However, mishpat does not just mean the punishment of wrongdoing, but also protection or care. In other words, mishpat means giving every person what they are due, whether punishment or protection or care.
Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” The word justice here is mishpat, and it’s Moses’ way of describing God’s character to the Israelites, a character that executes mishpat by protecting, caring, and defending the marginalized including immigrant.
Immigrant Dreamers with DACA came to the US as babies and children without any choice in the matter. It is not their fault they came to the US undocumented. Therefore, protecting and caring for them through the passing of legislation is to apply Biblical justice rightly. Applying punishment to them would be a misuse of Biblical justice. This is why we are going to Washington, DC.
As we head to Washington please take some time to pray for these specific things:
- Safe travels to Washington, DC, and back.
- The hearts of Congressman to be softened when they hear DACA stories.
- For the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say.
- For Immigrant Dreamers with DACA who are fearful right now to be overcome with peace.
Thank you for your prayer and support.
Memphis immigration Project exists to inspire everyone, everywhere to love their Immigrant neighbor.
