National Faith Leader and Ohio Faith Leader Respond to Inhumane Treatment of Haitians at U.S. Border
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, (540) 280-3393
National Faith Leader and Ohio Faith Leader Respond to Inhumane Treatment of Haitians at U.S. Border
Faith in Public Life CEO, Rev. Butler: “We must welcome people with dignity, not drive them away with violence and callousness.”
Washington, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security is investigating the treatment of Haitian migrants by Customs and Border Patrol agents after video and images surfaced of agents on horseback chasing down migrants at the U.S. southern border. In response, Faith in Public Life CEO, Rev. Jennifer Butler and Rev. Ray Greene, Jr., of The FREEDOM Bloc in Akron, Ohio, called on the Biden administration to hold Border Patrol accountable and called out the anti-Black racism exhibited by CBP officers.
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life:
“As a pastor, I know all of God’s children deserve respect and a safe home — regardless of where they were born. Our Haitian neighbors must be treated with humanity and allowed to exercise their human right to seek asylum in this country. The horrific videos and images I’ve seen from the border this week are directly at odds with these principles.
“For years, Faith in Public Life and the diverse faith community have worked in solidarity with the immigrant-led movement for an immigration system that honors dignity and families. Just as we fought deportations during the Obama administration and the Trump administration’s brutal and evil treatment of families at the border, we continue working for immigrant justice today. We call on the Biden administration to hold Border Patrol accountable for abuses, halt all deportations to Haiti, and end the use of Title 42. We must welcome people with dignity, not drive them away with violence and callousness.”
Rev. Ray Greene, Jr., The Freedom BLOC, Akron, OH:
“America, led by the Biden administration, has shown itself to foster anti-Black racism. As we have witnessed the demonization along with whips being used to beat and corral Black Haitian refugees. These inhumane deportation tactics are a clear example of anti-Black racism and the fight that everyday Black Americans go through on a daily basis, that is enforced by violence and/or threat of violence by policy and practice.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.