Annual Conference Actions on Immigration

During the 2017 Annual Conference season, many communities across the connection worked to pass resolutions that uphold the rights and dignity of migrants. Echoing the denomination’s Book of Resolutions, these statements acknowledge the realities many migrants face as well as the gifts they bring to our communities and congregations.

The following resolutions were passed:

Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference

A Resolution Concerning the Welfare of Unaccompanied Migrant Children in the Alabama-West Florida Conference.

“Therefore, be it resolved that the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in its regularly scheduled session June 4 through June 7, 2017, does petition the Governors of the States of Alabama and Florida, the Honorable Kay Ivey and the Honorable Rick Scott, respectively, and the members of the respective State Houses of Representatives and State Senates to offer additional support for unaccompanied migrant children in the state of Alabama until they have found legal support and permanent housing.”
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East Ohio Annual Conference

Welcoming the Immigrant in Our Midst
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Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference

Fair, Humane Immigration Policies and Practices

“And be it further resolved that the Eastern PA Conference asks its Bishop and Conference Secretary to send letters to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the President of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Secretary of State, as well as members of the U.S. Congress representing the state of Pennsylvania, calling on all of them to lead the nation in legislating and adopting fair, humane, comprehensive laws and policies that reform the U.S. immigration system.“
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Florida Annual Conference

Welcoming the Migrant in Our Midst

"Be it further resolved that we celebrate the recreation of a Justice for our Neighbors ministry now located in South Florida and the formation of an immigration task force by the Conference to help provide guidance to churches seeking to be in ministry to immigrants in Florida.”
Read more. page 208

Drivers’ Licenses for All Florida Drivers

“Therefore be it further resolved that the Florida Annual Conference support the ‘Drive 6 Safe Sunshine State’ campaign, which calls for drivers’ licenses for all Florida drivers, regardless of immigration status…”
Read more. page 206

Great Plains Annual Conference

Welcoming Migrants in Our Midst

“Be it further resolved that the Great Plains Conference calls upon our political leaders and policy makers to continue to accept refugees and grant asylum based on the need of those seeking our help, such as victims of natural disaster, innocent victims of war or persons whose lives are in danger due to political issues and not based on how a person might benefit the United States.”
Read more. page 25

Holston Annual Conference

Welcoming the Migrant in Our Midst

“Whereas, the state of Tennessee is home to more than 322,000 immigrants, 947,320 in Virginia are immigrants and 970,979 Georgians are foreign-born and these are individuals and families who have migrated to these states seeking safety, security, prosperity…”
Read more. page 210

Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference

Welcoming the Migrant in Our Midst

“The vast majority of people now living in Oregon and Idaho are the descendants of immigrants who migrated here seeking safety, security and prosperity. Today, more than 390,000 people in Oregon, and more than 95,000 people in Idaho, were born outside of the United States…”
Read more. page 29

Oregon-Idaho Conference Supports Sanctuary for Immigrants and Refugees

“We encourage all of the churches and church sponsored facilities in the Oregon-Idaho Conference to study the option to become a “Sanctuary” site for immigrants and refugees.”
Read more. page 31

South Carolina Annual Conference

Welcoming the Migrant in Our Midst

“Be it further resolved that the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, as followers of Jesus, express our opposition to any immigration policy that excludes refugees solely on the basis of their religion or national origin…”
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South Georgia Annual Conference

Resolution in Support of a Coordinated Action on Behalf of Undocumented Neighbors

“…be it resolved, that we, the Hispanic/Latino pastors and allies of the South Georgia Conference, call on the presiding Bishop of the Annual Conference to form a specific task force for the purpose of developing a strategy to: 1. provide education to the members of the South Georgia Conference, both clergy and laity, about the history of immigration throughout the centuries and human and civil rights concerning our undocumented members, and 2. encourage members of our South Georgia United Methodist churches who so choose to engage in concrete Wesleyan works of piety and mercy—seeking justice, ending discrimination and addressing the needs of the poor—on behalf of our undocumented neighbors.”
Read more. page 61

Tennessee Annual Conference

Welcoming the Migrant in Our Midst

“Therefore be it resolved that the Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church (TNUMC), as followers of Jesus, commit ourselves to work to eliminate racism and violence directed toward migrants and refugees from all parts of the world;…”
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West Ohio Annual Conference

All God’s Children

“Be it further resolved that the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church will as a body call on governmental leaders to cease all arrests, detainment, and deportations of persons in contravention of civil immigration laws who do not pose a threat to their community until a fair and comprehensive immigration reform is passed…”
Read more. page 48