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The Afghan Adjustment Act: Frequently Asked Questions
As Mormon Women for Ethical Government, one of our Principles of Ethical Government states that “people have moral responsibilities to provide succor and relief to [our] fellow human beings fleeing war, violence, persecution, and natural disasters, regardless of their race, nationality, or religion (see Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 25:31-40, and Alma 27:21-24).” We invite our legislators to join our compassionate army of Americans, veterans, nonprofits, and businesses who are choosing to acknowledge the debt we owe to our Afghan allies by working tirelessly to welcome them with open arms. We call for a clear pathway to legal permanent residency and a right to work for our new neighbors with the Afghan…
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An Open Letter to Montana Senators on Federal Refugee Funding from the Montana Chapter of MWEG
Dear Senators, On behalf of the Montana Chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, we strongly encourage you to reinstate the federal pass-through funding for the refugee resettlement program in HB2. Federal pass-through funding for the refugee resettlement program is beneficial to the state. This funding does not incur costs for the state of Montana. It contributes to healthy communities through job creation and funding in the areas of health and human services, education, and housing. When refugee communities benefit, the state benefits as well. Montana has a history of welcoming displaced people since the ’70s, when the state welcomed Hmong families who had helped the United States during the…
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Advocating for Refugees in Arizona
By Christie Black, MWEG Arizona Member and Senior Director of Engagement November 21, 2019 Many members of the MWEG Arizona chapter are committed mentors of refugee families in cities throughout the state. We have spent countless hours preparing for, resettling, teaching, serving alongside, and loving our new friends who are fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries. We have watched with dismay as the numbers of refugees the U.S. will accept drops each year, and our hearts fill with sadness for those who are left in limbo, waiting for the opportunity to resettle in a new home. October was an abysmal month in particular, as no refugees were admitted…
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Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government in Response to the Supreme Court’s 5-4 Decision to Uphold Travel Ban
June 26, 2018 As members of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, we are deeply disappointed and dismayed at today’s Supreme Court ruling upholding the latest iteration of the Trump administration’s travel ban. We believe there are multiple factors that make this travel ban unprecedented, and we cannot discount or ignore the greater context in which the ban was issued. Therefore, we feel we must take this opportunity to speak out against any policies or practices rooted in animus towards Muslims. God’s parenthood of all humankind makes us literal sisters and brothers. We are one family. As Russell M. Nelson, our current living prophet, said only recently, “That understanding inspires us…
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Fifteen Declarations on Ethical Immigration Policy
Mormon Women for Ethical Government is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring women of faith to be ambassadors of peace who transcend partisanship and courageously advocate for ethical government. We are greatly disheartened by the current immigration situation in the United States. Immigration is a complex topic with many potential points of philosophical and practical debate. A balanced and civil approach to reform is desperately needed. These 15 declarations describe our vision of ethical immigration policy. They are in harmony with the Principles of Ethical Government (PEG), the foundation for our policy decisions: Immigration policy must respect political norms and procedures, uphold the human and civil rights of all people,…
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An Afghan Family Immigration Story
Submitted by an anonymous MWEG member, edited by Mel Henderson My husband was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, into a family that can trace its lineage directly to Muhammad. His family was politically active and vocal about it—unwelcome qualities in the social climate of the time. Two of his relatives became prominent political activists who were assassinated in the late 80s. But even earlier, things were very dangerous. The Russian army invaded Afghanistan in the 70s and they had a hit list. My husband’s outspoken family became a target. The Russians intended to find, arrest, and execute every male in his family. This would send a message to others and “put…
