GOP, DeSantis Called Out For "Leaving Out The Lives Of Vulnerable, Innocent Children"

Florida Phoenix

March 8, 2022

A group of Latina evangelical pastors has accused the Legislature’s GOP leadership of hypocrisy for painting themselves as “pro-life” while moving to cut services for immigrant children.

In an open letter to lawmakers, the pastors cite legislation (SB 1808) that has passed the Senate and that the House could take up at any time, to deny state contracts to companies that transport asylum seekers to Florida for the federal government.

Additionally, Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered state regulators to deny licenses or renewals to organizations providing services to “unaccompanied alien children.” He complained those kids are using resources he wants reserved for Florida children.

The pastors also criticized a proposed $12 million from the 2022-23 state budget — which has not been finalized yet — “for an immigrant removal fund.” The group described that as “just sickening, especially coming after their attempts to shut down shelters for migrant children and with bills that make clear you do not believe immigrants belong in Florida (SB 1808 – Bean/HB 1355 – Snyder).”

Meanwhile, the Legislature has approved legislation banning abortions after 15 weeks’ gestation.

“These are our church members. These are our neighbors, friends, and children. This is our community. You are targeting us. In past weeks we have kneeled down in front of the Capitol, sung worship songs, and prayed, to make sure you understand that for us, it is personal,” the pastors wrote.

“As followers of Jesus, these leaders have repeatedly shared their beliefs in referencing the Bible, which says, ‘Anyone who welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me.’ They believe that by shutting down shelters and seeking to remove immigrants from Florida, the governor and the Florida State Legislature are attempting to stop them from doing the work that God has called them to do.”

“Recent actions by Republican lawmakers in the state of Florida in support of pro-life abortion policies only reveals how inconsistent these leaders’ pro-life agenda really is,” the letter continues.

“In leaving out the lives of vulnerable, immigrant children they have revealed that partisan politics and not a consistent pro-life ethic has been their priority. They are unable to believe that lawmakers publicly use the name of God in taking a pro-life stand to pass the abortion bill, yet they want to block the ability of the church to continue its ministry on behalf of some of the most vulnerable among us: small children, many of whom have been raped, emotionally traumatized, and separated from their parents.”

Signing the letter were the Revs. Ada Rivera of Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal in Tampa; Angie Montalvo of Iglesia Pentecostal in Holliday; Aleida Connors of Faro Luz Church in Brandon; Jessica Rivera of Restore Family Church in Tampa; and Aurora Calle of Iglesia La Verdad in Tampa.

“The governor, who says he cares about children and the faith community, is attacking our communities, our children, our most vulnerable to elevate his political standing. Support our communities, our children, and our most vulnerable by opposing these efforts,” the letter concludes.

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