The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities have a more than 150-year history of service to immigrants. Our community was founded by immigrant women who came to New York State and Pennsylvania to build schools and hospitals to care for those who left their native countries and their families. Our sisters continue to provide support services to many people who have come to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their children. We will continue to advocate for and welcome these most vulnerable populations.
In conscience we cannot endorse President Trump’s recent executive order which bans residents of seven Muslim majority countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days, suspends refugee resettlement for four months and indefinitely bars resettlement of Syrian refugees. Denying access to anyone because of religion, nationality or race is against all that we stand for as women religious and as citizens of the United States.
We call on policymakers and all U.S. citizens to advocate for the restoration of refugee resettlement and to work toward bipartisan immigration reform policies that treat all asylum seekers with justice and compassion.
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
