Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary signed on in support of the following endorsements for justice:
Feb. 14: Sisters of Charity, BVM signed on to a letter urging the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress to reinstate the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and resume refugee resettlement, restore humanitarian assistance, and ensure that faith-based communities can continue to serve refugees according to their faith traditions. Interfaith Immigration Coalition sent a letter to Donald J. Trump, President of the United States; Marco Rubio, Secretary of State; Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security; and members of the U.S. Congress.
Feb. 17: The BVM Congregation joined other organizations to endorse the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and urged support from members of the U.S. Congress. The Act protects areas providing safety and sanctuary for immigrants and others from immigration enforcement actions by agents or officers of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Sensitive areas include care facilities, government buildings, places of worship, playgrounds, schools, social service organizations, and other places. National Farmworkers Ministry endorsed this effort with many other organizations to communicate with members of the U.S. Congress.
March 7: The BVM Council supported an Investor Statement for Just Immigration Reform that called on the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive and just immigration reform that protects all stakeholders and fosters long-term economic growth. This investor statement also encouraged the business community and investors to push back on executive orders and enforcement practices that harm our immigrant neighbors and that threaten the health of the economy. Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility prepared the investor statement for members of the U.S. Congress, businesses, and investors.
March 18: Sisters of Charity, BVM signed on to a letter urging the U.S. Congress to reject cuts to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) while negotiating a budget resolution. Cuts jeopardize children’s health care access and coverage, reduce support for health systems that serve children. First Focus Campaign for Children sent letters to members of the U.S. Congress.
April 8: Sisters of Charity, BVM joined other faith-based organizations urging consideration of the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of all immigrants as the budget reconciliation bill is drafted at the federal level. The proposed $200 billion funding for deportations would shatter families and devastate worship communities. This is a concerning shift in federal government priorities away from supporting the basic needs of Americans and contradicts our faith’s moral call to love our neighbor as ourselves and welcome the immigrant. Interfaith Immigration Coalition sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Chair Rand Paul and Ranking Member Gary Peters), House Committee on Homeland Security (Chair Mark Green and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson), Senate Committee on Judiciary (Chair Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin), and House Committee on Judiciary (Chair Jim Jordan and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin).
April 22: The BVM Council signed on to an open letter in solidarity with non-profit groups threatened by the Trump administration. The statement opposes executive actions that target non-profit organizations, specifically in attempts to challenge their funding and revoke their tax-exempt status. Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility prepared the statement to be issued publicly after release of related Executive Orders.