Bread for the World Statement on Trump’s Executive Order on Refugees
Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World issued a response today to President Donald J. Trump’s executive order banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for 90 days. The executive order also places a four-month moratorium on new refugees from entering the country, and indefinitely bans Syrian refugees.
The following statement can be attributed to Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World:
“Our country has a moral imperative to receive those in need, no matter what religion they follow or where they are from. The United States has the most rigorous refugee screening process in the world. Placing a moratorium on new refugees entering the country, and indefinitely banning Syrian refugees, will only lead to more hunger and hardship, and inevitably the death of innocents.”
Bread for the World’s 2017 Hunger Report Fragile Environments, Resilient Communities, explains how state fragility – which is often the result of war, poor governance, and climate change – stands in the way of ending hunger and extreme poverty, and has led to the refugee crisis in Syria and elsewhere we see today.
Beckmann added, “Preventing people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. will tear apart families and leave countless people in a state of legal limbo. This action reeks of bias against Muslims and will work in favor of those who would do us harm. Our country is better than this.
“Bread for the World sees these actions as a hunger issue, especially since the seven countries are among the poorest in the world. When people are driven from their homes they go hungry. When families are torn apart they suffer. The effects of war and malnutrition can impact a child for his or her entire life. These actions are making the situation worse for families fleeing war and famine.
“Demonizing immigrants, and promoting deep divisions in society are contrary to God’s love and contribute to the persistence of hunger and poverty. We urge President Trump to immediately withdraw this order and call on him as president to live up to our nation’s ideals of inclusion and to foster respect for all people.”
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
We cannot end hunger in the U.S. without raising the minimum wage.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $150 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $150 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.