Resolution Number: 2009-B006
Title: Advocate for Immigration Reform
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that all people living in the United States are entitled to protection provided by due process of law and that all immigrants and their families are entitled to receive protection granted by our laws and Constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call for a moratorium on roadside checkpoints and raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at work sites, transportation systems, community gatherings, places of worship, lawful assemblies and private residences leaving families torn apart and children parentless and negatively affecting businesses, workers and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention advocate for a return of congressional consideration and implementation of comprehensive immigration reform which will allow millions of undocumented immigrants who have established roots in the United States and are often parents and spouses of U.S. Citizens to have a pathway to legalization and to full social and economic integration in to the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention deplore conditions found in immigration detention centers and the over-reliance on a costly prison-like detention system for immigrants, and urge the uses of alternatives to detention, and calls for accountability and oversight to ensure detainees are provided with humanitarian treatment, adequate food and medical care and sanitary conditions; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call for termination of any program which allows or funds local enforcement agencies to enforce immigration law, and return that enforcement to Federal Immigration Agents, leaving local law enforcement agencies the work of keeping communities safe and dedicating their resources to that end, and provide for a sense of safety for immigrant victims of crimes to come forward and report without fear of detention and deportation; and be it further

Resolved, That in as much as youth are a priority of The Episcopal Church, the 76th General Convention support the provision of conditional legal status for undocumented youth who arrived as infants and/or children and have grown up as members of our communities and schools, providing for them the opportunity to pursue higher education and/or serve the United States so they can become full contributing members of our communities and could eventually become U.S. Citizens.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 142.

Legislative History

Author: The Rt. Rev. Sanford Z.K. Hampton
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #10 on Resolution B006 (Immigration: Economic Justice Implications) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(B006)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention recognize that all people living in the United States are entitled to protection provided by due process of law and that all immigrants and their families are entitled to receive protection granted by our laws and Constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call for a moratorium on raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at work sites, transportation systems, community gatherings, roadside check points and private residences leaving families torn apart and children parentless; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention advocate for a return of congressional consideration and implementation of comprehensive immigration reform which will allow millions of undocumented immigrants who have established roots in the United States and are often parents and spouses of U.S. Citizens to have a pathway to legalization; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention deplore conditions found in immigration detention centers and call for an accountability to ensure detainees are provided with humanitarian treatment, adequate food and medical care and sanitary conditions; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention (a) call for termination of the 287 G partners program which allows local police agencies to enforce immigration law, and (b) return that enforcement to Federal Immigration Agents, leaving local law enforcement agencies to the work of keeping communities safe, and (c) provide for a sense of safety for immigrant victims of crimes to come forward and report without fear of detention and deportation; and be it further

Resolved, That in as much as youth are a priority of The Episcopal Church, that the 76th General Convention support the principles of the American Dream Act that include provision for conditional legal status and eventual citizenship for undocumented youths provided they attend college for at least two years or that they serve the United States in other capacities, for example in AmeriCorps or the military.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention recognize that all people living in the United States are entitled to protection provided by due process of law and that all immigrants and their families are entitled to receive protection granted by our laws and Constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call for a moratorium on roadside checkpoints and raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at work sites, transportation systems, community gatherings, places of worship, lawful assemblies roadside check pointsand private residences leaving families torn apart and children parentless and negatively affecting businesses, workers and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention advocate for a return of congressional consideration and implementation of comprehensive immigration reform which will allow millions of undocumented immigrants who have established roots in the United States and are often parents and spouses of U.S. Citizens to have a pathway to legalization and to full social and economic integration in to the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention deplore conditions found in immigration detention centers and the over-reliance on a costly prison-like detention system for immigrants, and urge the uses of alternatives to detention, and calls for anaccountability and oversight to ensure detainees are provided with humanitarian treatment, adequate food and medical care and sanitary conditions; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention (a)call for termination of the 287 G partners programany program which allows or funds local policeenforcement agencies to enforce immigration law, and (b)return that enforcement to Federal Immigration Agents, leaving local law enforcement agencies tothe work of keeping communities safe and dedicating their resources to that end and (c)provide for a sense of safety for immigrant victims of crimes to come forward and report without fear of detention and deportation; and be it further

Resolved, That in as much as youth are a priority of The Episcopal Church, that the 76th General Convention support the principles of the American Dream Act that includeprovision forof conditional legal status and eventual citizenshipfor undocumented youths provided they attend college for at least two years or that they serve the United States in other capacities, for example in AmeriCorps or the military. who arrived as infants and/or children and have grown up as members of our communities and schools, providing for them the opportunity to pursue higher education and/or serve the United States so they can become full contributing members of our communities and could eventually become U.S. Citizens.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #82)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #23 on HD Message #82 on Resolution B006 (Immigration: Economic Justice Implications) and moved concurrence.

The Bishop of Southwestern Virginia moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, add the word “non-federal” between the word “on” and the word “roadside.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution B006.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #79)

Special Order of Business

The Bishop of Arizona moved to reconsider Resolution B006 (Immigration: Economic Justice Implications).

Motion defeated

Reconsideration defeated

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 11.

Abstract:   The 76th General Convention calls for the implementation of several actions to mitigate the poor treatment and legal status of immigrants, especially youth, who seek to become US citizens.
Notes:  

Resolution 2009-B028 was discharged because the matter was already acted on in 2009-B006.