Washington, D.C. - Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) strongly denounces the false claims directed at Lutheran organizations and the vital humanitarian work we do.
Since World War II, LSSNCA has welcomed and supported refugees approved for protection through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) alongside Democratic and Republican administrations. Every refugee arriving through USRAP undergoes an extensive vetting process, including background checks, security clearances, and health screening.
“Guided by our Lutheran heritage, LSSNCA remains steadfast in our commitment to work alongside the administration to accompany families seeking safety and protection in the United States,” said Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO. “The call to welcome the stranger is a deeply held value in our faith, shared across many religious traditions. It is also a fundamental American value that transcends political ideology.”
For over a hundred years, LSSNCA has accompanied our neighbors most in need across the Washington, D.C. metro area to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities. Our services have been responsive to the pressing needs of our community, whether piloting the area’s first camp for children affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis, leading in providing services to welcome and support Afghan Allies whose lives were at risk due to their support of U.S. missions and providing trauma-informed mental health support services.
We encourage our federal, state, and local governments, along with our communities, to reaffirm our nation's values of welcoming and providing safety and support to people fleeing violence and persecution. This includes calling on the administration to immediately revoke stop-work orders that have disrupted critical wraparound support for refugees and restart humanitarian pathways, including the refugee resettlement program.
