A diverse coalition of clergy is urging President Obama before he leaves office to issue pardons to nonviolent prisoners with low-level drug offenses and to undocumented immigrants. In addition, the group is calling on city officials around the nation to declare themselves sanctuary cities that would welcome undocumented immigrants. The clergy say they are worried about policies that may be implemented by the Trump administration:

Bishop Dwayne Royster (Political Director, PICO National Network): “When either we try to detail or deport and send people out of the country, or whether we throw them into prison through the tools of mass incarceration and the new Jim Crow, we are ultimately breaking up families that are fundamental to the bedrock of our nation, and so we need President Obama to do the right thing: to grant more clemency and release more people.”

Richard Morales, (Immigration Policy Director, PICO National Network): “Now is the time for all of our elected officials to communicate to immigrants, people of color, Muslims, and others that they are welcome and respected.”