I write as a person of faith, as a Christian, who strongly believes in upholding our nation’s greatest ideals, our values, our principles upon which we were founded, as we continue to provide a safe and secure home for all who reside in this great nation and this wonderful state.
I write today because I am disappointed by the fear-driven action of our newly inaugurated president who indefinitely forbids refugees from Syria from entering the United States (along with prohibiting the entry of all refugees for 120 days), calling for our nation to close our doors, to shut our borders to refugees who are fleeing the Islamic State and the utter destruction of their country. Not only does this Executive Order ban refugees, but it also targets immigrant and nonimmigrant individuals from seven predominantly-Muslim nations from entering the country. I write disappointed by the silence of our governor, Terry Brandstad, and by the responses of our U.S. Senators, Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst, who have offered statements supporting (at least in part) this anti-American Executive Order, which is in direct contrast to the core tenets of the Christian faith (of which they all claim to profess).
As a follower of Jesus, a refugee himself, I am called to welcome the stranger, to offer freedom and relief to those who are persecuted and those who are oppressed. As a person of faith, a citizen of this nation, and resident of this state, I call upon the leaders of the United States and the state of Iowa to swing wide the doors of our nation and our state and welcome these most vulnerable ones and to unequivocally reject this executive order.
We can ensure the safety and security of our citizens without forsaking our country’s highest ideals and greatest values. Indeed, I believe it is only through living out our nation’s core principles of welcoming the world’s “tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free” that our nation, our state, our communities will truly be safe.
To turn away, to reject, to discriminate against refugees fleeing the Islamic State and other families and individuals solely because of their religion is wrong, it is not the American way, and it is certainly not the way of Jesus.
Thank you, and God bless.
Rev. Jessica Petersen
Newton