Letters to the editor: End intrusion into houses of worship

End intrusion into houses of worshipAs Quakers, members of Boulder Friends Meeting believe in the spark of the divine and inherent worth of every person, no matter where they were born. We believe everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. The current presidential administration’s raids and deportation of immigrants harm families and communities and violate the values that we, as a country, profess.

For decades, the United States protected houses of worship, schools and other sensitive locations, from immigration enforcement activities. This was done out of a concern that such activities would restrain people from receiving essential services and from engaging in essential activities, including worship. Despite these longstanding protections, the current administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reversed course.



Now immigration enforcement operations can be conducted in churches, schools and hospitals and during religious ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals. Agents are limited only by DHS’s instruction that they use “common sense.” The presence of armed government agents at or near places of worship disrupts people’s ability to freely associate and worship.

This abrupt shift in policy violates Federal law’s prohibition against agencies of the Federal government acting arbitrarily and capriciously. During the persecution of our Quaker forebears, we learned the terrible cost that occurs when religious freedom is violated. Throughout our history, we have advocated for justice, compassion, and freedom of religion and worship.

This includes welcoming people to join us in worship. It is not just immigrants who are at risk of losing their religious freedom rights under the current federal administration, but also people of faith across the United States who are called to welcome and care for immigrants.We stand with fellow Quakers and other Communities of Faith across the U.

S. in asking that all who are able to work to end this intrusion into houses of worship. Christopher Braider, Boulder.