Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - Interfaith Immigration Coalition

    Disciples  Home  Missions  130  East  Washington  Street,  Indianapolis,  Indiana    46204          with  Refugee  &  Immigration  Ministries  5  Thomas  Circle  NW,  Washington,  DC    20005   20005  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

Christian  Church  (Disciples  of  Christ)  Responds  to  House  Republican  Leadership’s  “Standards  for  Immigration  Reform”   The  Christian  Church  (Disciples  of  Christ)  appreciates  the  decision  of  House  Republicans  to  take  up  immigration  reform   discussions  as  indicated  by  their  January  30  release  of  GOP  Immigration  Reform  Standards.    The  one  page  set  of   standards  outlined  views  on  border  and  internal  enforcement,  visa  and  employment  regulations,  immigration  system   changes,  and  opportunities  for  youth  and  some  others  “living  outside  the  rule  of  law”  to  “come  forward  and  get  right   with  the  law.”     “We  agree  with  House  leaders  that  our  nation’s  current  immigration  system  has  serious  problems  which  must  be  solved,   and  are  grateful  for  this  expression  of  commitment  to  work  in  a  bipartisan  manner  to  solve  them.    We  take  this  time  to   reaffirm  our  promise  to  leaders  on  each  side  of  the  aisle  to  continue  our  prayers  ‘for…all  who  are  in  high  positions’  (I   Timothy  2)”  commented  Dr.  Sharon  Watkins,  General  Minister  and  President  of  the  Christian  Church  (Disciples  of  Christ).     “However,  our  historic  commitment  to  fulfill  our  biblical  call  to  welcome  the  stranger  and  to  live  out  God’s  challenge  in   scripture  that  ‘the  alien  who  resides  with  you  shall  be  to  you  as  the  citizen  among  you’  (Leviticus  19:34)  compels  us   likewise  to  raise  key  concerns  about  some  of  the  principles  as  stated.”   “Our  General  Assemblies  have  called  upon  Disciples  to  advocate  for  immigration  legislation  which  is  just,  humane,  and   compassionate.    This  leads  us  to  continue  to  seek  policies  which  reflect  our  values  of  family  unity,  the  opportunity  for   citizenship,  and  humane  enforcement  practices.    While  immigration  reform  is  very  likely  to  improve  our  economy,  our   faith  moves  us  toward  moral  solutions  which  are  about  more  than  just  economic  gain,”  continued  Watkins.       The  Refugee  &  Immigration  Ministries  office  of  the  CC(DOC)  notes  that  the  GOP  standards,  however,  seem  to  de-­‐value   family  based  immigration  in  favor  of  employment  based  immigration,  and  prioritize  enforcement  as  a  solution  to  current   immigration  problems.    “We  urge  Congress  to  consider  legislation  that  increases  the  number  of  family  based  visas  as   well,  to  ensure  that  families  suffering  from  separation  will  be  reunited.    And,  as  we  recognize  the  U.S.  government  is   already  investing  over  $18  billion  annually  in  immigration  enforcement  campaigns,  we  plan  to  work  with  Congress   instead  to  seek  solutions  that  help  families  contribute  most  and  meet  U.S.  employment  needs,”  said  RIM  Director   Sharon  Stanley-­‐Rea.   “Our  assemblies  have  historically  supported  fair  wages  and  a  path  to  citizenship  for  refugees,  farm  workers,  and  other   immigrants  for  decades.  We  applaud  the  GOP  standard  for  ‘legal  residence  and  citizenship  for  those  who  were  brought   to  this  country  as  children  through  no  fault  of  their  own.’    However,  we  continue  to  support  those  who  grow  food  for   our  tables,  who  serve  our  communities,  and  who  bless  our  churches  by  asking  that  agricultural  workers  and  other   immigrants  be  given  the  opportunity  to  choose  for  earned  citizenship  and  not  relegated  to  any  permanent  second   class,”  added  Stanley-­‐Rea.   Assistant  to  the  President  of  Disciples  Home  Missions,  Sheila  Spencer,  added,  “Refugees  and  immigrants  bring  vitality  to   our  churches  and  communities.    Disciples  Home  Missions  remains  ready  to  continue  our  historic  support  for  immigrant   integration  through  friendship,  education,  and  civic  and  spiritual  nurture  in  this  crucial  time.”   ###   Since  1949,  The  Christian  Church  (Disciples  of  Christ)  has  resettled  more  than  39,000  refugees,  assisted  countless  people  facing  immigration  problems,     and  advocated  for  humane  borders  and  rights  of  immigrants.    For  further  information,  contact:  Christian  Church  (Refugee  &  Immigration  Ministries,   [email protected],  202-­‐957-­‐7826.