GBCS Principles on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

UNITED METHODIST PRINCIPLES

GENERAL BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY

ON COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church is advocating for comprehensive immigration reform that must:

1)       Provide a Path to Citizenship: Opportunities with minimal obstacles should be provided for all those who want to settle in the United States and become eligible for permanent residence and citizenship.

2)       Protect Workers: The nation needs to increase the number of visas for new workers that adequately protects the wages and working conditions of U.S. and immigrant workers and provides a path to permanent status for those who desire to remain.

3)       Reunite Families: One of the driving factors of immigration, as well as America's most cherished values is family unity. Family backlogs should be cleared and those separated by migration and detainment should be reunited.

4)       Border Policies which are Effective and Humane: The borders will be secured only if the law is realistic and enforceable. This can best be achieved by a comprehensive overhaul that combines reform – a path to permanent status for immigrants here and wider legal channels for those coming in the future – with effective enforcement. Enforcement should be aimed at eliminating exploitation and trafficking, and not punitive measures intended only to punish.

For more information contact:

Bill Mefford

Director of Civil and Human Rights

bmefford@umcs-gbcs.org

(202) 488-5657