From the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, 2016 Book of Discipline:
Paragraph 162.H) Rights of Immigrants
We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all. We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children, and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families.
Resolution #3281, 2016 Book of Resolutions addressed the topic of “Welcoming the Migrant to the US”. The full text of the resolution is available here.
TAKE ACTION (Updated):
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on two bills sponsored by Speaker Paul Ryan and Representative Bob Goodlatte. Both of these bills would slash our family-based immigration system, create asylum laws that are in direct opposition to our United Methodist Resolution #3281 and Social Principles and expend funds on a border wall that are needed in many other areas of human welfare, like schools and healthcare. As we state in Resolution #3281, “In the face of these unjust laws and the systematic deportation of migrants instituted by the Department of Homeland Security, God’s people must stand in solidarity with the migrants in our midst.” Call your member of Congress (202-224-3121) and tell them to oppose these bills and rather bring humanitarian immigration policies as note in Resolution #3281.