The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That this 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commend the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and Church World Service for their leadership in facilitating the resettlement of refugees and for promoting a United States refugee and immigration policy which in principle and implementation opposes any discrimination on the basis of race, religion, geography, nationality, sexual orientation or language; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention call upon the Clergy and Lay Persons in our provinces, dioceses and local congregations to encourage in their several communities a freer acceptance of refugees and immigrants, especially in areas of high employment potential or other feasible places; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention urge the President of the United States and the Congress to welcome by a uniform federal code to our shores refugees and immigrants in proportion as our nation is able to provide shelter, training, education and sustenance on a continuing basis, without discrimination as to race, geographic origin, nationality, sexual orientation or language, and in particular to cease the inhuman treatment accorded in recent years to refugees from Haiti and El Salvador; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention further urge the President of the United States and the Congress to enact refugee and immigrant related legislation, rules and procedures after seeking consultation, coordination and cooperation with other nations which would be impacted by such legislation, rules and procedures; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention recognize that future refugee and immigrant problems cannot disappear without active work for the improvement of the quality of life in developing countries, and therefore, urge enlarged support for long-term developmental programs within Third World countries; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention urge the President and the Congress to adopt policies that will grant permanent resident status to overstayed/undocumented persons who have resided in the United States for a definite and reasonable period of time and have come here because of political economic stress.