1983-03 A Resolution on Nuclear Disarmament

AID TO SALVADORIANS AND OTHER CENTRAL AMERICANS

SEEKING SAFE HAVEN IN THE UNITED STATES

Preamble

During the years of fighting and violence in El Salvador, thousands of innocent people have been killed and tens of thousands wounded and made homeless. It is reliably estimated that in the last years 34,000 people have been killed. As a result, many thousands have fled the country to find safety, and for many of these the United States is the country of first asylum. As they arrive here, the Immigration and Naturalization Service aggressively rounds them up and sends them back. Some of those returned are reported to have been killed and many have suffered recrimination.

The United States Government has refused to grant people fleeing here from El Salvador the legal status of refugee or the privilege of extend voluntary departure, which would enable them to remain in the United States until it is safe for them to return home. Many have been denied their rights under American law. Instead, they have been pressured to return immediately to El Salvador.

As undocumented aliens in the United States, they are not entitled to assistance from government programs and often are afraid to leave their places of hiding to take jobs or to seek help for their basic needs.

As Christians, we have a long tradition of providing sanctuary in our churches for persons escaping persecution and death. Using a church as a refuge is a recognition of the moral limits of civil government and of God’s superior claim on human allegiance. In both Old and New Testaments, we are called upon to show compassion for those suffering from oppression.

Under these circumstances, the Lutheran Student Movement-USA:

Believes that we are called as Christians to provide a safe haven for the people who flee to the United States to escape the threat of death or severe repression in El Salvador and other Central American countries where similar conditions prevail;

Encourages the Lutheran churches in the United States to assist Central Americans who flee here in all appropriate ways possible, including the provision of shelter, food, jobs, and social services, and legal aid;

Affirms the actions of churches and individuals, both here and across the country, who provide sanctuary to fleeing Central Americans and supports and encourages the maintenance of refugee sanctuaries on Campus Ministry locations throughout the U.S.

Opposes the actions of the United States Government to pressure Central Americans to leave the United States without delay when they are seeking refuge here;

Calls upon the United States Government to grant Salvadorans and other Central Americans seeding refuge the privilege of “extended voluntary departure” until they can return home without fear of coercion, torture, or death or until other arrangement can be made.