When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:33-34
In a world becoming increasingly globalized, more people are leaving their homelands to seek better lives and opportunities in new countries. Their reasons for leaving are diverse and complex: economic necessity, war, or persecution. The U.S. has long been a nation of immigrants and we have consistently been conflicted about this. We gratefully welcome immigrants and their contributions, and we exclude them, discriminate against them and, at times, inflict grave harm upon them.
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors. The Bible is unambiguous in calling us to welcome aliens and strangers in our land, and to love them as we love ourselves. In these times, let us listen to the voice of the still-speaking God. We will learn how to respond to these new sisters and brothers residing among us.
NEW Wondering How to Get Involved? Learn about some of the ways that UCC churches and conferences are working to bring greater justice to immigrants.
NEW Immigration, an overview of the issues (PowerPoint presentation 770 KB)
Alabama’s House Bill 56 is the harshest anti-immigrant legislation yet to pass in the United States. Learn More
No Longer Strangers: The Practice of Radical Hospitality, a new book by UCC pastor Rev. Wendy J. Taylor, explores the lonely and difficult lives of migrant farm workers in Northern California and follows one woman’s compassionate response to their plight.
Behind the Wall
Video by Rev. Art Cribbs. Made possible through a grant by Neighbors in Need.
Migration and Poverty in Rural Mexico by Bread for the World. This video features some Mexican farmers who have migrated North before but with some participation from NGO's have found a way to make their land productive again to help them make a living in Mexico.
"Not in Our State: What Community-Based Organizations Can Do to Combat SB 1070 Legislation" Resolutions to Make a Better World PossibleA New Years Resolution on behalf of immigrants by Noel Anderson, Assistant Pastor at Church of the Good Shepherd. Join in. Church World Service invites you to post your own New Year's Resolution.
After a False Dawn, Anxiety for Illegal Immigrant Students
We are America Stories - stories of immigrants
Deportation 101
A Community Resource on Anti-Deportation Education and Organizing - revised May 2010 is a curriculum prepared by the Detention Watch Network, Families for Freedom, the Immigrant Defense Project of the National Lawyers Guild.
Utah Compact Case Study
The Utah Compact is a way to set the stage, prepare, defend and reduce the likelihood of anti-immigrant legislation gaining traction in your state.
Birthright Study
With the recent debate about birthright citizenship, this study looks at the issue in depth. What would it mean to repeal birthright citizenship to the children of unauthorized migrants? While viewed as a means to reduce illegal immigration, this study finds that the unauthorized population would actually increase.
Development and Migration in Rural Mexico - by Andrew Wainer
Bread for the World Briefing Paper - January 2011
The immigration debate in the US largely overlooks the root causes of unauthorized migration, specifically poverty and inequality in Latin America. The U.S. responds to unauthorized migration by placing an emphasis on enforcement - internally, at the border and through its foreign assistance to migrant sending countries. This study looks at development with awareness of the link to its impact on migration.
Prominent Clergy Converge on Washington for Emergency Prayer Summit, Jericho March: Time is Now for DREAM Act
Top Languages Spoken by English Language Learners Nationally and by State
Facts on Secure Communities
The Bible and Immigration Reform
by Lourdino A. Yuzon, a presentation prepared for the 19th National Convocation of the Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries (PAAM), UCC, Dallas, TX, August 2010
Arizona Immigration Law (NEW addtions)
In April, Arizona passed new legislation governing immigrants, legislation that the UCC's Southwest Conference calls "the harshest anti-immigrant legislation in the country...that codifies racial profiling and creates an atmosphere of suspicion, hatred, and scapegoating of immigrants and U.S. Citizens." More info about developments in Arizona
Birthright citizenship is challenged as some Arizona legislators are now considering legislation to deny citizenship to babies born in the state to undocumented parents.
Immigrants, Jobs, and the Economy
Take Action
Host a film showing: Faith and Immigration, a campaign of Sojourners, has produced a guide to four films about immigration with discussion questions and theological reflection for small groups. Also included is a longer film guide summarizing other popular immigration films
Stories of Immigrants and their Allies
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9500 Liberty -- the story of immigrants in Prince William County, VA (a Washington, DC suburb)
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Comprehensive Immigration Reform is needed to address the crisis in the U.S.
Resources for Worship and Bible Study Sermons and reflections, prayers, and other worship elements; a comprehensive listing of all Bible references to immigrants and refugees, and a theological exploration of immigration and overview of the UCC General Synod’s thinking on this issue.
General Information and Study Guides Numerous resources on immigration, immigrants, and immigrant rights, the New Sanctuary Movement, and study guides.
Detention, Border Enforcement, and the Border (NEW addiitons) Information on border enforcement, detention, arrests, deportation, and militarization of the border.
The DREAM Act (NEW additions)
Organizations with many Online Resources
Centro Romero Centro Romero is a UCC immersion center located on the U.S.-Mexico border south of San Diego, CA. The Center facilitates educational, transformational immersion experiences focused on globalization, economic policy, immigration, environmental concerns, and community empowerment.
In addition to three to seven day cross-border experiences, the Center also offers a 10-day Travel-Study Experience. Through these more extensive experiences, the Romero Center provides participants with the opportunity of learning about Mexico, Mexican Protestantism, migration issues, culture and popular religion with the objective of better contextualizing the immigration issues that are commonly discussed in the United States and to look at them from a “globalize” point of view. Trips are designed with the objective of engaging community members, community leaders as well as religious and political leaders in Mexico so participants can learn as much as they can about Mexico and its problems and responses and how they understand the immigration concerns that are affecting the U.S. today.
General Synod Resolutions
From GS XXVI (2007), GS XIII (2001), and GS XXII (1999).
Witness for Justice Articles including
Immigrants and Public Education View a number of resources from JWM
Immigrants and Health Care A Resource from JWM
