[#theyarechildren] As the Obama Administration prepares to fast-track the deportation of these unaccompanied migrant children against public opinion (Reuters/Ipsos poll), faith and community leaders from both The United States and Mexico will visit a temporary holding facility in McAllen, Texas on Monday, August 18, 2014.

The visiting delegation, made up of leaders of organizations that are well aware of these children’s circumstances, seeks to provide a caring presence for the children in detention and to remind government leaders that The United States of America must act with compassion for they are children.

“As President Obama considers expanding administrative relief for our undocumented community members, we cannot support any future action that comes at a cost to the due process for these children through rushed court proceedings or expedited deportations,” says Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of The United Methodist Church.

“We have fallen into an extreme legalism that has blinded the good will to look after them and we have not treated them humanely.  We pray to our kind Father to put sensibility in the lives of those who have these issues in their hands,” said Bishop Felipe Ruiz Aguilar of The Methodist Church of Mexico.

“We seek to learn how we, as a church, can best welcome these children now and in the days and weeks that lie ahead,” says Rob Rutland-Brown of the National Justice for our Neighbors.  “We are committed to keeping them safe and making sure they know they are loved.”

Members of the visiting delegation include:

• Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño (The United Methodist Church, Los Angeles Area)
• Bishop James Dorff (The United Methodist Church, San Antonio Area)
• Bishop Julius Trimble (The United Methodist Church, Chair of the Immigration Task Force)
• Bishop Felipe Ruiz (The Methodist Church of Mexico, Northwest Conference)
• Rob Rutland-Brown (National Justice For Our Neighbors, Executive Director)
• Elica Vafaie (California Community Foundation)