San Marcos Clergy Decry SB 4, Urge City Council To Take Action

The book of Leviticus 19: 33-34 reads: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.”

by Jordan Buckley, Special to Corridor News

In September, Texas will implement the harshest law in the nation regarding the treatment of immigrants, Senate Bill 4 (SB 4). As faith leaders in San Marcos and Hays County, we share a concern for the plight of our neighbors who may, in fewer than seven weeks, face an impending crisis, which could rip apart their families and destroy their lives.

In the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths, a loving God saved the Israelite’s from anguish at Pharaoh’s hand, delivering them to the Promised Land and commanding them to remember that time of suffering by embracing others who confront a similar circumstance. Many other world religions also require showing hospitality to all of God’s children.

As local clergy of various denominations and faith traditions, we prayerfully encourage the San Marcos City Council to take as strong and active a stand as possible in opposition to SB 4 and on the side of immigrants in this dreadful moment for so many in our own community.

Respectfully,

Rev. Tim Bauerkemper, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Rev. Dr. Helen Boursier, Ph.D., Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Dr. James C. Bouzard, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Rev. Karl W. Brown, United Methodist Church 
Rev. A.D. Dillard, First Baptist Church, NBC, San Marcos
Rev. Sabrina Jennings, United Church of Christ                                           Rev. Jairo Lopez, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
Rev. Phil C. Mason, Episcopal Church USA
Rev. Scottie McIntyre Johnson, San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Chaplain Nahum Melendez, Seventh Day Adventist Church                                                                 Rev. Gregory Ross, Disciples of Christ Church