Dear [YOUR LEGISLATORS],

As Christians, we believe that we are all children of God. Migrant children are our children. Their families are our families. We are one family united by our shared humanity, and when one is hurt, we all hurt. As we witness children living in shockingly inhumane conditions in detention facilities at the border, our hearts break.

There is no excuse for children living in neglect. Children don't have toothbrushes, toothpaste, clean clothes, diapers or soap. There's no adequate access to medical care during flu outbreaks. Children can't sleep because they are hungry and lights are left on 24 hours a day.

This heartbreaking neglect is the direct result of the Trump Administration's immigration policies. These policies are unnecessarily cruel and the opposite of what Jesus called us to do: welcome the stranger, care for the vulnerable and heal the sick.

Look no further than Matthew 25: 41-45: “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' “They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' “He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Deuteronomy 10:17-19, also sets an expectation for what we should do, "For the Lord your God is God of gods who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

As a proclaimed person of faith, and with vested authority to check the executive branch of our government, what will you do to stand up for our Christian values and demand an end to the un-Christian and un-humane treatment of immigrants and refugees?

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]