United Methodists support immigrants and undocumented workers

[inspector45]

United Methodists support immigrants and undocumented workers -14/10/06

Still concerned about proposed changes to US immigration law, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is repeating its call for truly just migration policies. The action came at the mission agency's 9-12 October 2006 annual meeting in Stamford.

The Board of Global Ministries, which both funds and supports programmes assisting immigrants and undocumented workers, also wants the denomination as a whole to educate itself about undocumented workers "and how the church is and can continue responding to the economic, social, political, legal and spiritual challenges they encounter," the agency's directors said.

In April 2006, the board's directors asked Congress "to refrain from passing laws relating to immigration that would divide families, make felons out of millions of workers now in the US who are without green cards or visas, encourage mistreatment of immigrants or criminalize the efforts of the Christian church, other faith traditions and social service organizations to help people in need, regardless of their citizenship status."

The renewed call, initiated by the board's Hispanic/Latino Ministries Task Force, asks the Bush administration and Congress to pass legislation that does not violate those principles. United Methodists are asked to write state and federal government officials to encourage the revision of immigration laws "which negatively impact individuals, families and entire communities."

Board directors also support the demilitarization of the US-Mexico border. "In particular, we oppose the construction of further walls and other obstacles on the border that endanger lives of immigrants," they stated.

[inspector45]

United Methodists support immigrants and undocumented workers -14/10/06

Still concerned about proposed changes to US immigration law, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is repeating its call for truly just migration policies. The action came at the mission agency's 9-12 October 2006 annual meeting in Stamford.

The Board of Global Ministries, which both funds and supports programmes assisting immigrants and undocumented workers, also wants the denomination as a whole to educate itself about undocumented workers "and how the church is and can continue responding to the economic, social, political, legal and spiritual challenges they encounter," the agency's directors said.

In April 2006, the board's directors asked Congress "to refrain from passing laws relating to immigration that would divide families, make felons out of millions of workers now in the US who are without green cards or visas, encourage mistreatment of immigrants or criminalize the efforts of the Christian church, other faith traditions and social service organizations to help people in need, regardless of their citizenship status."

The renewed call, initiated by the board's Hispanic/Latino Ministries Task Force, asks the Bush administration and Congress to pass legislation that does not violate those principles. United Methodists are asked to write state and federal government officials to encourage the revision of immigration laws "which negatively impact individuals, families and entire communities."

Board directors also support the demilitarization of the US-Mexico border. "In particular, we oppose the construction of further walls and other obstacles on the border that endanger lives of immigrants," they stated.

[Someone12]

these greedy slime***** just want more donations to their dogmatic cause,,,it's always about the cash.

[IMPENETRABLE]

Militarization of the broad (and subsequent sealing of the borders) is one of the nesessary actions that must be taken in order to solve the current immigration problem.

[macyuhoo]

Isn't there a separation of church and state?

[IMPENETRABLE]

There surely is.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform should not be passed on the grounds of Christian Compassion, but it should first and above all serve the interests of Nation, be practical, pragmatic and feasible.

Thus, it's logical to secure and seal borders to completely prevent future influx of illegals into the country , and then realistically deal with the fact that there are 12 million illegal aliens present in US, most of whom it will be impossible to remove (because of fiscal,logistical and even geopolitical reasons).

[Someone12]

it would be relatively easy to get rid of 12M illegals...make them deport themselves within a year, face only a 2 year bar to readmission and thereafter they can reapply for visas (and they must qualify too)...after a year, they are deportable felons, subject to immediate deportation with NO possibility EVER to return LEGALLY to the US...period.

[macyuhoo]

Impenetrable, I used to dislike your comments but I agree with what you said this time. The reality is we must address the issue of these illegal aliens who are coming in by the thousands daily; then deal seriously with the 12 million illegals who are already in the country. But as of today, Bush and his warfreak boys have not done anything. Their whole mind and attention are focused on Nokor and Iran.

Somone12, I also used to hate you but you raised a good point here. Your suggestion that these illegals self-deport and then give them a lesser penalty is a very good idea. If they self-deport, it saves our government lots of money. But, this should not be mistaken for voluntary departure which is different.

[Someone12]

Illegals as a group refuse to take responsibility for their irresponsibility and lack of respect for our laws...yet they feel they are somehow "owed" a green card and are apparently willing to pay the $2000 fine suggested by some legislators...so, if they can pony up 2 g's, they can buy an airline ticket.
And, time is the one commodity that is the most precious to them...so...make 'em pay in time...give them the last opportunity to demonstrate a modicum of responsibility...they report to the nearest DHS office (within, say a year of the enactment of such a law)..check in and then check out. They pay their own way home, face a 2 year bar to readmission, after which time they can apply for (but must qualify for) visas, including marriage. Those that don't take this last chance get the royal boot after day 365 and they can never return legally to America, no matter how many brats they have spawned.
Criminal illegals just get the boot....period....no waivers, no nothing but a one way ticket home...forever.

[macyuhoo]

Again, a very good idea, Someone12. I hope the legislators and our politicians take note of what you suggested. It would be a bit harder for those who flew in from far away countries given the distance and the price of the plane ticket. The ones that must be dealt with are the Mexicans who just crossed the border. They entered with no money and only the clothes they wore. Then after a while of working illegally, they buy cars and drink our nice cool US beer. Worse, they now have the dollars to buy drugs. They then make babies as if it they're in piggeries. These illegal children then drain our government resources and money. Do you think these Mexicans would self deport even if it's the easiest compared to other ethnic groups. They won't. For them, America is Paradise even if they refuse to learn English. That's very unfair uh? That's why I don't totally oppose those who are very much against the illegals.

[Hudson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by macyuhoo:
Isn't there a separation of church and state? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The "Separation of Church and State" came Thomas Jefferson writing to one of his core constituency groups. However, under the regulation for 501c3 organizations, religious groups can take stands based on moral grounds while not endorsing a particualr candidate or political party. This is whether the issue is pro or anti abortion, pro or anti death penalty, pro or anti immigration, etc.

[AliBA]

If the church is so hot on immigration, then why doesn't it get ITS members to sponsor and pay for illegal aliens? Guess its members don't care to put their money where their leaders' mouths are--far easier to expect everyone else to pay for their ideals.

[macyuhoo]

Whether we like it or not, agree or not, admit or not, religious groups do influence the government policies, foreign, domestic, political decisions. In every election be it state level or federal/national, religious groups are among the strongest lobbyists. Politicians and candidates fear these groups. That's why no one in his right mind would ever criticize much more oppose these religious groups. Among them are the Catholic Church, Jewish Community, Protestant groups, Muslims, other Christian groups like the Mormons, etc. So, even assuming that the constitution states that there's a separation of church and state, this is more on paper than actual practice.

[AliBA]

Really? Why then is the federal government investigating so-called Muslim charities linked to religious bodies?

These organizations wield power only through the influence of their members, and their ability to mobilize their members to vote or contribute. In that respect, they're like any other large organization, be it businesses or unions or PAC. For some churches, the positions of the church are at odds with those of many of their members, and are more a matter of the ministers' or priests' convictions than theology.