MWEG Official Response on Abuses of Power in Federal Immigration Enforcement

The knowledge that every single person is a child of God is foundational to our Latter-day Saint beliefs. Nothing, including citizenship status or political ideology, can alter that core truth. When our government acts in ways that deny our divinity, using coercive and lethal force and without just cause, we have a special obligation to question whether such force was necessary.

Over the last three weeks, we have seen a pattern of alarming behavior emerge. We have collectively witnessed federal immigration law enforcement agents take two lives — actions that have been excused by policies that are beyond the bounds of current law. As such, the responsibilities of citizenship and our faith compel us to both vigorously question their actions and speak out as courageous peacemakers.

The authority to make and enforce policy and laws is not inherent or irrevocable. Under our system of government, authority is grounded in and limited by the Constitution — which establishes a system of shared power. We learn in Latter-day Saint scripture that it is “the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” Our understanding of the nature of power requires us to both advocate for limits around it and question the source when it is used to dominate or inflict violence. This, paired with a call for accountability, is a faithful and wise approach to ensure both safety and constitutional compliance.

It is precisely in these moments that we must lean into principles such as due process, the right to assemble, and freedom of speech. We should be deeply skeptical of anyone who uses fear and othering to bait us into selectively discarding our commitment to the protections provided by the Bill of Rights, for in doing so we expose everyone to the misuse of power. 

Faced with a violent assertion of absolute authority, paired with official denials of what we can plainly see with our own eyes, we must oppose those who seek to dominate and harm — without turning to anger and violence ourselves. Peaceful protesters in Minnesota have shown us the way with their creative and vibrant exercise of courage, restraint, and, especially, love. We honor their efforts by aligning ours with that same stubbornly joyful spirit.

We the people are both the source of power and authority for our government and the check when our leaders lose their way. This is our right, our obligation, and our privilege.