President Obama recently provided relief to millions of immigrants across the United States.  But despite the powerful impact of these actions, the federal government is still detaining newly arrived immigrant families.  A new, massive detention complex for thousands of migrant mothers and children is set to open in Dilley, Texas as early as next month.  As a person of faith, please urge President Obama to embrace community-based alternatives for new immigrants.

Family detention is not only expensive and inhumane, it also dishonors our proud legacy as a nation that welcomes the world’s most vulnerable, especially those fleeing persecution.   While we thank the President for his recent steps to better the lives of millions of immigrants in the United States, we ask him to urgently act on behalf of mothers and children in family detention. 

These families—all women and children—have risked their lives to escape their conflict-ridden homes in Central America. Many are newborn, breast-feeding babies.  The vast majority have survived violence, abuse and trauma experienced at home or during their perilous journey to the United States.  Lacking adequate medical care, mental health services, professional prison staff, and especially quality child care, these overcrowded detention facilities are no place for traumatized families seeking protection in the United States. 

As a person of faith, please urge President Obama to promote successful community-based alternatives for families seeking refuge.