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 Project
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
A sister is born for a time of adversity
This week's video about The Inn Project is Chelsea Privette's reflection on what she knows about the people who cross the border. She asks, "What will we do? Will we welcome them with drink and food and clothes? Will we visit them in detention? Will we care for them...
read moreAnd a child shall lead them
This week's video about The Inn Project provides a child's perspective on the separations of the asylum-seeking immigrant families. Watch and listen to this young volunteer's experience while she and her family volunteer at The Inn Project. The Inn Project is a...
read moreLearning Faithfulness from Immigrants
What happens when you stop seeing people as a problem and start seeing them as your teachers? Hear Megan Spittell’s story about her experience as a volunteer at the Inn Project and what she’s learned about what it means to be a disciple.
read moreDSC called to be a courageous church, loving like Jesus, acting for justice, and united in hope around immigration and the current border crisis.
The Desert Southwest Conference joins our Bishop, our Conference Immigration Taskforce and the Western Jurisdiction Immigration Taskforce to call all people to take action in love, for justice, grounded in hope as we respond to the current situation along the Southern Border and Immigration.
read moreDSC Immigration and Family Separation Response
By Chris Spencer Everyone is asking the same questions: “What is happening to separate children at the border? What does President Trump’s new Executive Order mean? And what can I do to help?” These thoughts were sent to me this Thursday morning, June 21, from...
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?
