Greater Bibleway Church International (GBCI) Calls For Action To Reverse Denial Of Temporary Protected Status

MARRERO, La., July 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Bishop Toris T. Young, Council of Bishops, Board Of Directors of The Greater Bibleway Church International (GBCI) is horrified by the November 20, 2017 cruel announcement from the U.S. President Donald J. Trump that he intends to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for persons from Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. One of America's most recognized monuments is the Statue of Liberty. These powerful words from Emma Lazaru's sonnet, The New Colossus, became a part of the statues appeal and a statement of America's purpose: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

In her sonnet, Ms. Lazarus named the woman who lifted her lamp decide the golden door, The Mother of Exiles. Clearly, the Trump Administration, with its action on DACA, TPS, and now Separation of Kids from their parents at the U.S. Mexico border, is putting out the lamp of freedom and welcome. It is seeking to rewrite history by sending a clear message that Black and Brown people that they are no longer welcome and protected here in the United States of America. Since 2000 Bishop Toris T. Young and Greater Bibleway Church International (GBCI) have had a strong and historic presence in Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. In 2010, Haiti was hit by an earthquake that destroyed much of the country's infrastructure, killed 230,000 Haitian people, and added to the poverty that was crippling the nation. Moreover, the nation has experienced two devastating hurricanes since that earthquake. All updates about the recovery efforts confirm that in 2017, Haiti is not ready to receive the 60,000 Haitians who President Donald J Trump and the Department of Homeland Security have targeted to be out of the United States in July 2019, less than a year from today. Bishop Toris T. Young, Social Action Commission, Council of Bishops of GBCI are concerned that the politics of fear, oppression, and white supremacy are being used to impact people of color globally who need America's support. Bishop Toris T. Young is asking all faith leaders, voters, people of good will, all GBCI partners, districts, churches, components/organizations, pastors, and members to join us by raising their voices to influence the Trump Administration to make an exception for the Haitians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans and those families at the U.S. Mexico border who will be negatively impacted by this and other decision's.

We call upon the Congressional Black Caucus, the NAACP, the National Action Network, RAINBOW PUSH, National Baptist Convention USA Inc., Progressive Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention Of America, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, Assemblies of God, Church Of God In Christ, Church Of Christ, United Methodist Church, AME Church all African American denominations and faith groups to join us in fighting to keep the 60,000 Haitians in America until Haiti is rebuilt and ready to receive them.

We call for solidarity with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National Council of La Raza, and all our faith partners in the Latino/Hispanic Community to address the ending of TPS in Nicaragua and Honduras. We are announcing a plan to the Trump administration step by step how to unite the families that have been separated at the U.S. Mexico border and a plan that will make America more open and how it must honor it values and promise.

The Social Action Commission of GBCI
Bishop Toris T. Young, Presiding Bishop
Lisa Prout Secretary
About GBCI please visit http://www.gbcint.org
For more information about GBCI, please visit http://www.twitter.com/greaterbcint http://www.facebook.com/greaterwayint
For further information: Lisa Prout, [email protected] (504)702-8330 or Linda Fulcher, [email protected] (870) 816-0557

Instagram: @greaterbiblewaychurchint
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Twitter: @greaterbcint

SOURCE Greater Bibleway Church International