Churches unite to call for better treatment of illegal immigrants

At the time of writing the plight of refugees throughout the world has been hitting the news. In the USA it is said that more than 2,300 children had been separated from their families who had been suspect of entering the country illegally. The policy was suddenly halted after the outcry from international humanitarian groups. In Europe ships carrying refugees have been stopped from entering the ports of a number of countries. According to the UN Refugee Agency more that 200 people have been drowned over a space of five days. In our own country a group of major churches have joined together in calling upon the Government to change its policies for dealing with illegal immigration, which they claim is leading to ‘destitution, discrimination and distrust’. They are calling for an end to the hostile environment. For example members of the Windrush generation have lost homes, jobs and have had their right to NHS treatment taken away. The point is made that this hostile environment goes much further and beyond issues of immigration. Many people face racial discrimination and struggle to find homes and employment. The pressures of destitution are forcing people to leave the country. There is a well known verse in the letter to the Hebrews(13:2): ‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it’. Angels or not, some of us would argue that this country has benefited from migrants who have settled here.