Emergency Resolution of Solidarity with Immigrants and the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ
Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ
2010 Annual Conference, June 18-19, 2010

Theological Rationale: We are a people of faith who affirm and live by the biblical imperative, “When a migrant resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the migrant. The migrant who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the migrant as yourself, for you were migrants in the land of Egypt: I am your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34). 
 
Background:  Senate Bill 1070, which would require law enforcement officials in the state of Arizona to investigate someone’s immigration status if there is “reasonable suspicion” that the person might be undocumented, was passed by the Arizona legislature in April.  Those without identification papers, even if they are legally in the U.S., are subject to arrest.  A person can also be arrested if he or she is stopped and is simply with people who are undocumented — even if they are that person's family.  Parents or children of “mixed-status families” (made up of documented and undocumented, as many immigrant families are in Arizona, as in our own state) could be arrested if they are found together.  A person can be arrested if he or she is “transporting or harboring” undocumented people.

On April 24, 2010, the Southwest Conference of the UCC gathered at their Annual Meeting in Sedona, AZ, and passed a resolution calling for non-compliance with SB1070. They have called upon other conferences and associations of the UCC to pass resolutions and take actions in solidarity with them and our immigrant sisters and brothers.   
  
Whereas, we are in full faith and covenant with our sisters and brothers of the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ and in accordance with the “Call for a More Humane United States Immigration Policy” resolution passed at the June 2006 Illinois Conference Meeting, we recognize the need to add our voice to the chorus of those seeking justice, and

Whereas, we recognize our immigration system as broken and our current immigration policy as ill-conceived, evidenced by the rise in immigrant border deaths to 417 in the year 2009 and the over 4,000 deaths since 1998 [1], and

Whereas, we are profoundly disturbed by the passage of SB1070 by the Arizona Legislature, the harshest anti-immigrant legislation in the country, which codifies racial profiling and creates an atmosphere of suspicion, hatred, and scapegoating of immigrants and U.S citizens, and

Whereas, some might consider driving immigrant families to and from church or a doctor's appointment to be Christian ministry — but it will now be illegal in Arizona;
 
Therefore, we are dedicated to the following actions to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to our immigrant brothers and sisters who are created equally in the image of God regardless of race, nationality or immigration status.

Therefore be it resolved, the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ (ICUCC) stand in solidarity with the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ and our immigrant sisters and brothers in Arizona and call upon all members and congregations in the ICUCC to sign the pledge of non-compliance with SB 1070 (www.1070ipledge.net);

Be it further resolved that the ICUCC support the SWCUCC call for an economic boycott of Arizona until SB 1070 is repealed; calling on all ICUCC members to use their influence with businesses, professional organizations and other organizations to relocate any and all meetings or conferences to be held in Arizona and to not make any purchase or contract with firms who are head quartered in Arizona;

Be it further resolved that the ICUCC call its members to Direct action of prayer, study, protests, and civil disobedience for immigrant rights and that the ICUCC will mobilize our congregations for just and fair Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

As people of faith and conscience rooted in the teaching of Jesus Christ, we hold to our UCC Statement of Faith, in declaring, “You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

In Solidarity and Service,

Submitted by:  Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ

 [1] National Foundation for American Policy Reform, http://www.nfap.com/pdf/0505brief-death-at-border.pdf