Dear Faith Leaders,
I invite you to sign a letter in support of immigrants that will be delivered to the leaders of the Florida Legislature next week at its special session. Already more than 150 faith leaders have signed it.
You can find the letter and the sign-on form at this Link: https://forms.gle/zdtnXhkbTNjdW5Ei6
The Legislature needs to end the practice of using the state’s Emergency Management Fund to fund abusive detention centers. Over the last three years, the governor has used emergency funding to build and operate state detention centers in the Everglades and Baker County. Multiple reports indicate that inhumane treatment regularly occurs at these centers. Detainees have included undocumented and documented immigrants as well as US citizens. The detention of persons who appear foreign-born has become so problematic that even a group of rural sheriffs have called for the policy to end.
The legislature is constitutionally required to complete the state budget by the end of June. Legislators can address and correct the misuse of state emergency funds to support inhumane detention centers through the Emergency Management Fund while finalizing the state budget. The budget talks are very much in play right now. Our witness can have an impact.
I look forward to hearing from you should you have any questions.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer
Executive Director
