On Friday Texas and 15 other states filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to enjoin the ”Keeping Families Together” program from going forward. Texas claims that the program would benefit 1.3 million persons, 300,000 of whom live in Texas. Aside from the fact that their numbers are exaggerated, it is astounding that these states, all of whom claim to be “pro-family,” would want to deport the spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens.
Like other immigration programs, all applicants are vetted because biometrics are required to determine whether they have a criminal history. This is a discretionary program, which means that approvals are not automatic. The lawsuit notes that the law states parole may only be granted on a case by case basis. That’s exactly what this program does, grant parole on a case by case basis.
There’s a word for their motive in this lawsuit: hypocrisy – or is it racism? These old southern bible thumpers are just that hypocritical racists. And being joined in by states like Iowa and North Dakota, built by Scandinavian immigrants, is just simply hypocritical racism. Let’s see, what is that Jesus said about scribes and Pharisees?
Prayer for the Day
God of truth and reason, save us from hypocrites,
Those who make false claims about their faith;
Scribes and Pharisees abound in our land,
Calling us to reject the grace you offer us.
Hold us fast to your command to love and care,
Rejecting the false piety we often hear.
In the name of the One who condemned hypocrisy,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.
Noël Coward, English playwright, in Blithe Spirit (1899-1973)
Hypocrisy has its own elegant symmetry.”
Julie Metz, Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but inside they are full of bones of the dead and all kinds of filth. So you on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Jesus in Matthew 23: 27-28