Immigration Rights

We affirm the dignity, worth, and rights of migrants, immigrants, and refugees, including displaced and stateless people. In so doing, we acknowledge that the world today is facing an unprecedented crisis related to the displacement of vast numbers of people due to such factors as ongoing wars and other hostilities, foreign interventions, widespread famine and hunger, global warming and climate change, and the failure of nation-states to adequately protect and care for their people. We recognize that displaced people are particularly vulnerable as their in-between status often provides them with few protections and benefits, leaving them open to exploitation, violence, and abuse.

We urge United Methodists to welcome migrants, refugees, and immigrants into their congregations and to commit themselves to providing concrete support, including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment, and other kinds of support.

 We oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize, or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants, or refugees. Additionally, we decry attempts to detain displaced people and hold them in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. We challenge policies that call for the separation of families, especially parents and minor children, and we oppose the existence of for-profit detention centers for such purposes.

UM Social Principles on Immigration

Immigration Rights FAQ

 

Immigration Rights Team Chairpersons

Alfredo Santiago |
Rev. Cassandra Nunez | 

A number of opportunities are now available to work for justice

Other actions you and your congregation can take to work for justice on the national and local level include:

• Sign up to receive Sojourners recommended sermons, tips for preaching about immigration here.
• Listen to United Methodist Women: Faith Talks with Cindy Johnson here. 
• Get involved with Welcome Corps, a service opportunity for Americans in communities across the country to make a lasting impact by helping refugees build new lives in the United States. 
• Use Welcome Corps' "Dine for Refugees" Toolkit to unite American citizens and permanent residents in a collective effort to support and sponsor refugees.