The Episcopal Church has announced its withdrawal from the US Refugee Admissions Program by the end of the federal fiscal year, prompted by directives from the Trump administration favoring the resettlement of white South Africans. In a letter to congregants, Presiding Bishop Rev. Sean Rowe highlighted the negative impacts of the program's partial shutdown on resettlement agencies and expressed dismay at the unusual prioritization of these refugees over other vulnerable groups, underscoring the church's adherence to principles of racial justice and reconciliation.
The federal government recently informed Episcopal Migration Ministries that under the terms of its grant, it would be expected to resettle white Afrikaners from South Africa.
It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting.
In light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation... we are not able to take this step.
Rowe characterized the decision to prioritize white South Africans as highly unusual, noting other vulnerable populations have not been granted entry.
#episcopal-church #refugee-admissions-program #racial-justice #trump-administration #white-afrikaners
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