In response to ongoing immigration law enforcement efforts which have led to children being separated from their parents at the USA / Mexico border, the Leadership of The Salvation Army in the USA issued the following statement regarding this practice:
The Salvation Army has long held the belief that individuals and families in need should be met with love and compassion, and those who are in a position to help have a responsibility to do so in a way that preserves the dignity and humanity of others. Separating children from their parents at the United States border has no place, directly or indirectly, in American immigration policy or practice, and the truth that this has happened already for thousands of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, brings us to our knees in prayer for their wellbeing, a speedy return to one another, and an immediate stop of the practice. The Salvation Army sees firsthand, especially in children, the personal and societal impact of separated and broken families, and we call on federal public officials to find solutions that will quickly reunite these families and prevent this tragedy from happening in the future.
This statement was ratified by the Leaders of all four USA Territories, and by Commissioner David Hudson, The National Commander of the Salvation Army USA.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 135 years in the U.S. Nearly 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. For every dollar donated to The Salvation Army, 82 cents is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). For more information, go to SalvationArmyUSA.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS.