I have good news from South Carolina, a key state where LIRS is campaigning for fair immigration reform! The newspaper of record, The State, has published an op-ed by Ted Goins, the President of Lutheran Services Carolinas.
He writes that diversity “is the future, and South Carolina is poised to lead by harnessing that force as an economic and cultural engine.”
In his June 20 piece, “SC Would Benefit from Immigration Reform,” he goes on to say the following:
From the hands-on perspective, each year, Lutheran Services Carolinas resettles approximately 300 refugees and works with another 500 who are already living here. What we’ve witnessed are hard-working, family-oriented people bringing economic and social benefits to our state. In terms of faith, our mission statement is: “Empowered by Christ, we walk together with all we serve.” We are passionate about serving “the widow, the orphan, and the stranger in our land.” For all these reasons, we proudly extend a hand of welcome to people seeking refuge from persecution.
That same hand of welcome, if it guides the immigration reform legislation now making its way through Congress, will benefit all of us here in South Carolina.
Please read the entire op-ed by clicking the link above, and show your support by leaving a positive comment, promoting the piece through Facebook and other social media, and sending the link to your friends, colleagues, and family.
It’s critically important that more leaders speak out strongly as the Senate debates the bipartisan reform bill, S.744. We’re grateful to Ted Goins and to The State for helping him reach the American public with the reasons why immigration reform will benefit America.