Immigration Response
2018 Resolution
…respectfully call upon … to immediately discontinue separating children from their families due to the “zero tolerance policy.”
Statement regarding family separation
Join me in prayer and action as we work to secure the well-being of children and families in the name of the compassionate Christ.
Western Jurisdiction Announcement & Resources
“cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1: 16b-17)
Support Projects
The Inn
A partnership between the United States Government and The United Methodist Church of the Desert Southwest Conference, providing shelter and humanitarian relief to asylum seekers recently arrived in the US.
Arizona JFON
Providing affordable, high-quality immigration legal services, Arizona Justice for our Neighbors also engages in advocacy for immigrant rights, offering education to communities of faith and the public about immigration issues.
Wesley Frontera
“We stand with undocumented and DACA students.” Learn more about ministry with DACA students by reaching out to our Tucson Wesley Foundation and Wesley Frontera. Email Rev. Hannah Bonner to get started.
Statement from DSC Immigration & Refugee Task Forces
As United Methodists, we recognize the inherent value of every person, regardless of race, religion, national origin or immigration status. We look into the faces of those fleeing violence and oppression in their home countries, and we remember that Jesus was himself a refugee. We see his face in them. (2016 Book of Resolutions, #3281 “Welcoming the Migrant to the United States”)
Ways to Take Action
Contact Members of Congress
Call on Congress to stop separating families and reject anti-immigrant anti-family legislation. Urge your 2 Senators and 1 Representative to support and protect family unity by supporting policies that protect and unite immigrant and refugee families.
Neighbor to Neighbor Toolkit
Your Members of Congress will be home from June 30 to July 8. Use this toolkit to put together a team to establish and nurture relationships with your Senators and Representatives and share the importance of protecting family unity.
Mass Mobilization on June 30
Join and support events for welcoming and reflecting on the deep scriptural and spiritual roots of our work to support immigrants. They send a powerful message that upholding family unity and welcoming immigrants is a moral issue that is important.
Amplify Your Message
Message with your Senators and Representatives on social media with the digital media toolkit and hashtags: #FamiliesBelongTogether #KeepFamiliesTogether and #ValueOurFamilies.
Social Media Graphics
Families Belong Together Print: Use any of these images for your social media posts, posters, t-shirts, website, bulletin inserts, flyers, letters, bumper stickers, or any other means of spreading the message.
DSC Liturgical Resources
Use these liturgical resources during worship, in letters to others, for devotional moments, or any other means that will fill your soul and encourage others to join you in raising awareness and mobilizing action that supports family unity.
Learn More & Collaborate
- Contact ask about churches supporting refugees.
- Contact to host a Know Your Rights Workshop.
- Join https://www.facebook.com/groups/ImmigrationResponse to connect.
RECENT ARTICLES
Opportunity to Assist Asylum-seeking Refugees
Volunteers are needed to assist with several needs – greeting refugees as they exit ICE buses, providing a hot meal on arrival, arranging donations of clothing, and occasional hosting of families not having family members or contacts in the U.S. More host churches are needed as the handful of hosting churches are stretched to the limit.
read more“Something Like Home”
St. Mark’s UMC, Tucson AZ is hosting a special event Sunday afternoon, January 27th, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson. Noor Alsabahi, a Syrian refugee, will be sharing her story in film and in person.
read moreHelp Support The Inn Project
St. Mark’s UMC, Tucson AZ is hosting a special event Sunday afternoon, January 27th, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson. Noor Alsabahi, a Syrian refugee, will be sharing her story in film and in person.
read moreProposed Rule Change on Public Charge
Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors | Ella Rawls, Esq. The Department of Homeland Security has announced a proposed rule changing the current framework which immigration officials must use when determining whether an immigrant is likely to become a “public charge.” As...
read moreSharing God’s Love at the Mexican Border
Pastor Raul Velazquez and his wife Maritza Velazquez-Corta of El Mesias UMC, bring food, blankets, and hope to those who have traveled far and are waiting in long lines at the border. Watch the short video story produced by United Methodist Communications. Then share your ministry story with DSC Communications.
read moreContact Us
“The LORD your God is the God of all gods and Lord of all lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God who doesn’t play favorites and doesn’t take bribes. He enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19 CEB)
God calls us to be a COURAGEOUS CHURCH: loving like Jesus, acting for justice, united in hope. What will you do to respond?
