Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner Expresses Concern about ICE Raids

Dear Secretary Johnson,

On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose over 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis, I write to express our deep concerns with the deportation raids reportedly planned for the coming weeks.

We were profoundly troubled by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in early January, which primarily targeted Central American families who had come to the United States seeking refuge from violence in their home countries. The January raids and this reported new round raise serious questions about whether the families have been granted legal due process in their asylum proceedings. Furthermore, even as these raids tear families apart and send mothers and children back to potentially life-threatening situations, they also sow greater fear and mistrust, making immigrant communities warier of contact with law enforcement and our nation potentially less secure overall.

Our concerns are rooted firmly in Jewish tradition, which speaks forcefully on the proper treatment of immigrants. This week, the Jewish community celebrated the holiday of Shavuot, when we read the story of Ruth. When her husband dies and she is facing hardship, Ruth journeys with her mother-in-law to Israel from Moab, adopting its customs and traditions.

Ruth’s story reminds us of the importance of welcoming people fleeing desperate circumstances, and treating them with dignity and respect. As Leviticus teaches, “When strangers sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do them wrong. The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (19:33-34). Our own people’s history in Egypt and in this country, and the beautiful lesson of Ruth, inspires our compassion for others living as strangers; my own grandmother, Fannie, escaped the pogroms of Russia and courageously travelled as a girl to the United States, seeking freedom. We affirm our commitment to create the same opportunities for today’s immigrants that were so valuable to our own community not so many years ago.

Our nation is based on rule of law, which all immigrants and asylum seekers must respect. At the same time, ICE must also respect the due process rights of those seeking shelter from persecution. We respectfully ask that the Department of Homeland Security halt these planned raids until further investigation can be made into due process issues, and until all other legal protections for these asylum seekers can be ensured.