IMMIGRATION REFORM

 

 

 

Submitted by: Anna Lange-Soto, diocese of California

                        Dianne Aid, diocese of Olympia

 

RESOLVED, that we believe that all people residing in these United States are entitled to the protection provided by due process of law, and that all immigrants and their families are entitled to receive the protection guaranteed by our laws and constitution; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that we deplore the fact that “no match letters” (letters received by employers from the social Security Administration that an employee’s name does not match the name that the SSA has on file for the corresponding social security number) are often used as a weapon of intimidation to immigrants; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that we strongly encourage all Episcopal congregations in these United States to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that would include legal pathways to permanent residency for undocumented persons and their families; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that EUC and the Diocese of California’s Immigration and Migration Task Force coordinate the effort, for the purpose of seeking a network for comprehensive immigration reform in the Episcopal Church.

 

EXPLANATION

 

Detainees in the immigration system do not have access to public defense, and some are detained for years.

 

The immigration system is horribly broken, efforts to move the issue to comprehensive immigration reform failed and a relatively small but well financed anti-immigrant forces have encouraged enforcement-only immigration actions.

Raids create fear in immigrant communities. There are cases in which parents cannot send their children to school.  Victims of crime are afraid to report these crimes to the police.

 

The purpose of the Social Security Administration’s “no match” letters is to ensure that correct information is acquired so that people will be able to receive their Social Security benefits; it is a violation of the Social Security Administration to be used as a branch of the Homeland Security Department.

 

Civil Rights are being violated through acts of racial profiling.

 

And mostly because lives are being destroyed, families separated, workers treated as criminal. Hope for a better life and a place to live in peace have been violated for more than 12 million people.

 

There is a need to call a halt to raids and deportations until Congress can be moved to act in favor of compassionate, comprehensive, humane and just immigration reform.

 

 

Deeply disturbed by the recent failure of Congress, the senate, and the Bush Administration to enact comprehensive immigration reform or to pass the DREAM Act that would provide qualified undocumented high school students who wish to attend college or serve in the armed forces, an opportunity to obtain a documented status and pursue these goals; and

 

Affirming the fundamental immigration principles as approved in Resolution A017 of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church USA; and

 

Mindful of our baptismal covenant that calls us to respect the dignity and worth of every human being and our biblical heritage that reminds us to always provide the stranger with hospitality and a life among us: