June 15, 2018 – Americans United for Separation of Church and State today sharply criticized U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions for citing the Bible to defend the Trump administration’s policy of separating families at the border with Mexico.
“Sessions’ statement is profoundly disturbing,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “The separation of church and state means that we don’t base public policy on the Bible or any religious book. Our nation’s top law enforcement official, however, is using his interpretation of the Bible to defend the Trump administration’s policy of separating children and their immigrant parents.”
Addressing law enforcement officers in Fort Wayne, Ind., yesterday, Sessions defended the controversial policy.
“I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes,” Sessions said. “Orderly and lawful processes are good in themselves. Consistent and fair application of the law is in itself a good and moral thing, and that protects the weak and protects the lawful.”
Added Laser, “The American people are free to debate whether our immigration policies are wise, humane or effective, but our government should never be justifying them on their personal interpretations of the Bible.”
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.