The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #15 on Resolution C033 (Respecting the Dignity of Immigrants) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C033)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reject and deplore racist and unjust treatment of immigrants of any residential status; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church affirm the following propositions regarding immigrants in our country: 1. Just reception and hospitable treatment of the stranger in our midst is a faith-based component of baptismal living. 2. Undocumented immigrants should have reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency. 3. Close family members should be allowed to reunite without undue delay with individuals lawfully present in the United States. 4. Fundamental U.S. principles of legal due process should be granted all persons; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church call upon the Government of the United States to implement humane means of enforcing reasonable border control; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church support the goals of expanded immigration relief for youth as outlined in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church advocate through education, communication, and representation before legislative authorities the continuation of Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for all persons fleeing to or currently resident in the US seeking refuge from violence, environmental disaster, economic devastation, or cultural abuse or other forms of abuse; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church advocate for 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 citizenship and to full social and economic integration into the United States.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reject and deplore racist and unjust treatment of immigrants of any residential status; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church affirm the following propositions regarding immigrants in our country: 1. Just reception and hospitable treatment of the stranger in our midst is a faith-based component of baptismal living. 2 . Undocumented immigrants should have reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency. 3. Close family members should be allowed to reunite without undue delay with individuals lawfully present in the United States. 4. Fundamental U.S principles of legal due process should be granted all persons; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church reaffirm GC2009-B006 which advocates for comprehensive immigration reform; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church call upon the Government of the United States to implement humane means of enforcing reasonable border control.

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church direct the Episcopal Office of Government Relations to advocate on this Church’s behalf all elements of this resolution, and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention 79 support the goals of expanded immigration relief for youth as outlined in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church advocate through education, communication, and representation before legislative authorities the continuation of Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for all persons fleeing to or currently resident in the US seeking refuge from violence, environmental disaster, economic devastation, or cultural abuse, domestic abuse, or other forms of abuse; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church advocate for 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 realistic pathway to citizenship and to full social and economic integration into the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That we affirm comprehensive immigration reform to include:

Keeping families together

Respecting the United States Bill of Rights

Honoring Human and Worker Rights

Providing a Pathway to Citizenship;

And be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention 79 support the goals of expanded immigration relief for youth as outlined in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) as stated in GC2015-D048; and support the passing of federal legislation that presents a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth and young adults known as DREAMers, as stated in GC2012-D067; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge dioceses, congregations, and individual Episcopalians to commit to long term advocacy, prayer, and study around immigration and partner with the Office of Government Relations to contact their elected officials on the need for compassionate and humane immigration reform through the Episcopal Public Policy Network.

Resolved, That The 79th General Convention commends the ongoing work of Episcopal Migration Ministries in resettling refugees to the United States on behalf of the Episcopal Church and encourages dioceses, parishes, and communities to engage the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries through its Partners in Welcome ministry network and other welcoming and advocacy programs.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #196)