Official Statement From Mormon Women for Ethical Government Regarding the Treatment of Those Seeking Refuge at the Southern Border

November 26, 2018

Yesterday, several groups of Central American migrants who had been traveling for weeks to seek asylum in the United States rushed the border near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California. Both U.S. and international law protect the right of individuals to claim asylum at the border, but the Trump administration has been actively implementing policies to make that process more difficult. Despite the fact that the Department of Homeland Security has known for weeks that this caravan was on its way, these asylum-seekers were met not with compassionate and orderly assistance, but with military presence and threats to close the border permanently. In an attempt to disperse the groups, and possibly provoked by some who were reportedly throwing rocks, border agents fired tear gas into the crowd, which included children. Tear gas, or CS gas, is considered a chemical weapon and has been outlawed for use on the battlefield since 1993 by nearly every nation on earth, including the United States. Images and stories of mothers trying to protect their small children from the choking fumes have spread around the world, to the horror of compassionate people everywhere.

We acknowledge that immigration is a complex issue and that our current system is broken and in serious need of reform. We also acknowledge the need to more effectively secure our southern border and to improve the administration of asylum claims. Using tear gas on innocent children is never a justifiable option. Period.

It is vital, at this moment when people are suffering and tensions are high, that our political leaders act with diplomacy, dignity, and compassion. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that it is possible to protect both the rule of law and the human rights of those who are fleeing horrific circumstances in their home countries. We need moral leadership. We urge every member of Congress and all officials within the current administration to work diligently toward creative, compassionate, bipartisan solutions that will ease human suffering. As citizens, we can be part of creating the political will to make this happen.

Jesus Christ was abundantly clear that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves and that no man-made lines should define our reach. Whatever efforts we make to appropriately secure our borders and protect our national interests cannot supersede our moral obligation to care for one another as sisters and brothers, children of the same God.

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Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) is a nonpartisan grassroots group dedicated to the ideals of decency, honor, accountability, transparency, and justice in governing. MWEG is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We do, however, fully sustain the leaders and doctrines of the Church.

(Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash)