Dear Texas Legislators,

Religious traditions the world over agree on the importance of love in our society – not just for some, but for all. Today, Texas faith leaders and their communities appeal to you, our legislators, to let love for migrants guide your way forward.

As it stands, the rhetoric in our nation and in our state regarding who migrants are, how they get here, and what they do while they are here is rife with misinformation and exaggeration. This rhetoric stokes conflict in our communities, and it has informed many of the bills which now sit in the hands of the Texas Legislature, including HB7, HB20, HB65, HB82, HB1600, and others.

It is of great concern to us that these bills, while intended to protect Texans from legitimate threats, would instead function primarily to do harm to already-suffering innocents. It is of great concern to us that these bills would result in widespread discrimination and harassment against legal residents and citizens of Texas and the United States because of the color of their skin, their accent, or their language.

It is of great concern to us that these bills would destroy trust in our communities by establishing unregulated militias with police powers. It is of great concern to us that these bills would designate migrants as trespassers and terrorists, casting those who seek refuge as violent criminals and leaving our religious institutions open to prosecution for providing aid to those in need.

Our sacred texts command us that we are not to oppress foreigners, being reminded that we were once foreigners ourselves. We hear that Jesus was a stranger who was welcomed, and that we do to the least of these as we have done also to Christ. We know that the teachings of the world's religions are of one voice in the special consideration they afford the sojourner. Our faiths are abundantly clear that we are to welcome the stranger, to treat them well, and to try to understand their journey— treating them with compassion instead of sending them back to the dangers they first fled.

We urge you to lead and legislate with love for all whose feet find US soil. We urge you to protect and serve the people of our state without causing harm to others. We urge you to show compassion towards those who must leave the land of their birth out of desperation for their survival.