Mennonite Central Committee

We encourage you to write a letter to your Congressperson about the plight and deaths faced by migrants in the borderlands. Please let us know if you correspond with your Congressperson.

Borderlands Sample Congressional Letter

The Honorable ________________
United States Senate (House of Representatives)
Washington, DC 20510 (20515)

Dear Senator/Representative ______________,

As a voter and a constituent, I would like to draw your attention to my concerns about migrant deaths at the US-Mexico border. The plight of these migrants constitutes a major human rights concern in our hemisphere. 237 bodies were recovered in the Arizona sector alone last year.

1. I urge you to pass laws that would de-militarize the border. While border security is not unimportant, it cannot take place at the exclusion of other reforms. Enforcing borders with increased levels of resources and use of the military is wasteful in light of Congress’ inability to provide legal mechanisms for people to come here.
2. I am also concerned that building a “fence” between the U.S. and Mexico, and doubling the numbers of Border Patrol agents, will serve to push migrants into inhospitable stretches of desert where many die. Currently, the 10,000 agents on the Southwest border only have operational control over border cities and towns, and very limited stretches of rural land--hardly a majority of the border. Much of their time is spent patrolling fencing (which suggests fencing does not replace staff in terms of operational control).
3. Finally, I am concerned about the impact that the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088) may have on the border. It continues the misguided policies described above and I hope you will oppose this bill.

As a member of a community of faith, I believe in Jesus’ commandment to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” The continued deaths and suffering of our neighbors deserves our response reflected in policies that are grounded in justice and love. I urge you to support policies that are respectful of human rights and human life, and provide reasonable, legal provisions for immigration, so that the deaths in the borderlands may be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]