RESOURCES
Immigration / Inmigración
The Book of Resolutions states in its “Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.” section (4271), “To refuse to welcome migrants to this country—and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the migrant community in the United States is demonized by members of Congress and the media—is complicity to sin…
“The United Methodist Church affirms the worth, dignity, and inherent value and rights of all persons regardless of their nationality or legal status. United Methodist churches throughout the United States are urged to build bridges with migrants in their local communities, to learn from them, celebrate their presence in the United States and recognize and appreciate the contributions in all areas of life that migrants bring.”
What follows are action items; here are some excerpts:
- Advocate for legislation that will uphold the civil and human rights of all migrants in the U.S.
- Begin English classes as part of a ministry to migrant communities
- Denounce and oppose the rise of xenophobic, racist, and violent reactions against migrants
- Welcome newly arriving immigrants into our congregations
- Oppose the building of a wall between the U.S. and Mexico
- Call the U.S. government to immediately cease all arrests, detainment, and deportations
- Provide pastoral care and crisis intervention to refugees and newly arrived migrants
- Work with civic and legal organizations to support migrant communities
- Support churches that prayerfully choose to offer sanctuary to undocumented migrants
- Continue the work of the United Methodist Task Force on Immigration
Read the statement on Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees in the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church
“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 inbetween 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.” – The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2024/2024, ¶ 163
Staff Representative
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Rhonda Grant Jordan
Events
Events
🙏 Pray. Accompany. Give.
Help meet the needs of our neighbors who are suffering as a result of current immigration policies.
🖥️ Videos
On-demand webinars and video resources on immigration.
How Did We Get Here?
Angélica Acosta Garnett
The Hispanic-Latino Committee hosted this webinar on understanding the current moment in immigration enforcement and how to engage.
Conoce tus Derechos
Angélica Acosta Garnett
El Comité Hispano organizó este seminario web sobre inmigración, centrado en el tema “Conozca sus derechos” y que brindó orientación práctica para apoyar a las comunidades inmigrantes.
Supporting Immigrants: A Call to Action
Claudia shares her experiences as a member of a congregation with many immigrants, highlighting their struggles with violence, poverty, and a flawed immigration system.
Immigration Response Webinar
The Strengthening the Black Church Committee hosted this webinar on how you and your church can create an immigration response.
Hope & Action Webinar
The webinar is designed to equip congregations to become more hospitable to migrant and immigrant communities while fostering understanding, hope, and solidarity.
📚 Resources
The following articles, files, and websites offer resources on immigration.
From the Conference
Find resources from the North Carolina Conference.
UMC-Related Info
See resources from The United Methodist Church and its partners.
- Mustard Seed Migration Grants
- ResourceUMC: Immigration and Global Migration
- GCORR Joins More than Two Dozen Christian and Jewish Denominations and Associations in a Lawsuit to Protect Religious Freedoms
- Solidarity With The Sojourner Webinar Recording & Resources
- Immigration Update: A Webinar On Birthright Citizenship
- Called to Journey, Called to Welcome: A Biblical Perspective on Immigration
- Immigrant Rights Are Under Attack
- Vital Conversations on Immigration
- Congregational Toolkit: Supporting Immigrants and Welcoming Strangers
Helpful Files & Links
View resources helpful for immigrant community members.
⚖️ Know Your Rights
All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights.
English
See the following English files from the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Español
Vea los siguientes archivos en español de la Asociación Americana de Abogados de Inmigración.
📝 Latest Updates
Recent posts from the NC Conference related to Immigration.
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Migrant Student Mentoring Program
St. James UMC and Harlowe UMC in Newport are serving students at West Carteret High School through their Migrant Student Mentoring Program. Rev. Joseph Park said, “We resumed our mentoring program this spring with seven volunteers from St. James UMC and Harlowe UMC. Each Wednesday, we go to work with migrant high school students for… Continue Reading→
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Immigration Response Prayer Circle at NCCU
On March 6, 2026, the NC Conference’s Immigration Response Prayer Circle joined a Global Movement on the World Day of Prayer. The prayer circle was held on the campus of NC Central University with NCCU Wesley Campus Ministry, local churches, and community partners. Over 50 students, clergy, local churches, and community partners gathered in person… Continue Reading→
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From Wilson to Washington: Public Witnesses of Faith and Justice
Members of the NC Conference recently joined together with ecumenical and interfaith leaders and community members for public witnesses of faith, justice, and love in action. Love Forward On February 14, 2026, Repairers of the Breach concluded the Love Forward Together Mass People’s Assembly & Moral March Mobilization, traveling from Wilson to Raleigh, NC. The… Continue Reading→