August 5, 2013 Dear Sheriff Jones, We are religious leaders, clergy and lay, in Knox County, joining together from many traditions to express our disappointment over the signing of the 287(g) agreement in Knox County. We find common ground in our religious values that recognize all humanity is created in the image of God and endowed with inherent dignity. Our scriptural mandate is very clear that we are commanded to welcome our immigrant brothers and sisters. "When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 19:33-34 We are concerned, because it is clear that the 287(g) agreement runs contrary to these values we intend to uphold. History shows that 287(g) agreements embolden biased law enforcement in areas where there is preexisting record of discrimination. Implementing 287(g) has led to racial profiling, family separation, and increased fear within the local community. The evidence that 287(g) is an inherently flawed program comes from examples throughout the country wherein deputies trained to enforce immigration begin to unnecessarily profile people according to their race, ethnicity, or language. The Department of Justice report showed that Sheriff Arpaio's Office of Maricopa county (AZ) was engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and violations of federal civil rights law by systematically targeting Latinos. Likewise, studies have shown similar violations in Alamance County (NC) wherein the University of North Carolina found that 287(g) agreements in the state were primarily used to target offenders who posed no threat to public safety or individuals with no criminal record. Already there are too many family separations in Knox County. A parent goes to work in the morning, does not return home leaving the child without care. The impact on families is deep and traumatic, tearing the family unit apart. When the community fears local deputies, they are scared to report crimes to the police without risking deportation, creating a public safety risk for all. The cost of the program is too much and is taken on by local taxpayers, who also have to pay the lawyer fees when Knox County Sheriff's office is taken to court for civil rights violations. This program goes against the common good, and we are disappointed that the 287(g) program is close to being approved in Knox County because it separates families and violates our faith values. The immigration laws are broken, and this issue should be addressed at the federal level through immigration reform, not by a deeply flawed administrative program that leads to racial profiling. Instead our faith tells us to love one another and to practice hospitality toward everyone, especially the vulnerable in our society. In a three-week span when our two Senators from Tennessee, former President George W. Bush, and the Pope have voiced support for humane immigration policies, why is Knox County planning to move in the opposite direction with 287g? Sincerely, The Right Reverend George D. Young III The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee Rev. Dixie Lea Petrey, Monte Vista Baptist Church Pat Bellingrath, Church Street United Methodist Church Joyce Wyatt, Central Baptist Church, Bearden Rev. John Ripley, Church Street United Methodist Church Sharon Hannum, St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church Sister Yvette Gillen, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Pastor Rick Ohlsiek, St. Paul Lutheran Church Rev. James Steven Musick, New Providence Presbyterian Church Kathi Parkins, Fairview United Methodist Church Margaret White, Dandridge Rev. Jonathan D. Goff, Maryville Friends Laura Sell, St. Andrews Episcopal Church Todd Shelton, Tennessee Valley UU Church Rev. Anne McKee, Presbyterian Church, USA Dr. Crystal Lynn Wright Colter, Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Bingham Graves, Westminster Presbyterian Church LaNoka Rhodes, Church street United Methodist Church Tupper Morehead, MD, MDiv., TSSF, The Third Order of the Society of St. Francis Rev. John Gill. Sr. Pastor, Church of the Savior, United Church of Christ Karen Fawver, Church Street United Methodist Church Rev. David Castillo, San Juan United Methodist Church John Stewart, Church of the Savior, United Church of Christ Susan Montgomery, Concord United Methodist Church Fran Ansley, United Methodist Church Mary Jane Ripley, Church Street Church Lee Sessions, United Methodist Church Rev. Gordon Gibson, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Rev. William Troy, United Methodist Church Dr. David Linge, St. James Episcopal Church Kathy Mays, Lonsdale United Methodist Church Barbara Hickey, St. James Episcopal Church Jean Galyon, Church Street Church Rev. Laura Bogle, Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church Mike Feely, United Methodist Church Rev. James Scott Sessions, United Methodist Church Hector Black, Friends Meeting Nancy Carmon, Church Street United Methodist Church Wendy Markham, St. Andrews Episcopal Church Joyce Cope Wyatt, Church Street United Methodist Church Betty Pierce, New Providence Presbyterian Church Lisa R. Blackwood, First United Methodist Church Corita Swanson, New Providence Presbyterian Church Lucy Gibson, Church Street United Methodist Church Rev. Ralph Hutchison, United Presbyterian Church, USA Anna Lee, United Methodist Church Lance McCold, Tennessee Valley United Universalist Church Sally Lighter, Church Street United Methodist Church Pamela Schoenewaldt, Church of the Savior, United Church of Christ Rev. Tim Kobler, United Methodist Church Re. Marcia Free, Church of the Savior, United Church of Christ Donna L. Schroeder, Church Street United Methodist Church Mary Ann Reeves, All Saints Catholic Church Wendy Ann Bach Endorsed by 54 clergy and lay leaders from 11 denominations and 26 congregations. And copied to: President Barack Obama Senator Bob Corker Senator Lamar Alexander Representative John Duncan In addition, on June 20, 120 East Tennessee clergy and lay leaders from 40 congregations and 10 denominations delivered a letter to Senators Alexander and Corker urging them to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform.