R-3: Resolution on Immigration -- PASSED AS AMENDED

Resolved, That the 194th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio call on the United States Government for comprehensive immigration reform, which may include:
a) A path to citizenship for the 10-12 million undocumented people in the U.S.;
b) Reform of our immigration system, so that migrant workers can enter the United States and work in a safe, regulated and humane manner;
c) Reform of the family-based immigration system, so that waiting times/backlogs to reunite families are significantly reduced;
d) Restoration of due process protections for immigrants;
e) Reform that is humane, workable, and reflects the paramount importance and socio-economic necessity of family unity;
f) Development and implementation of policies which address the root causes of migration, such as economic development in poor countries;
g) Support for a path to citizenship for youth brought into this country illegally as infants or young children via enactment of the legislation currently before the U.S. Congress; and be it further

Resolved, that the 194h Convention call each congregation to affirm the 76th General Convention Resolution B006, "Immigration: Economic Implications," and become informed about the realities of immigration including its root causes and to collaborate in ministries that meet the needs of new immigrants to our communities; and be it further

Resolved, that the 194th Convention specifically call for termination of any programs, ("Secure Communities", 287(g) program), allowing or mandating local or state agencies to enforce federal immigration law and linking local or state computers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, returning enforcement to federal immigration agents and leaving local law enforcement agencies and their resources the work of investigating and preventing crime to keep communities safe; and be it further

Resolved, that the 194th Convention specifically oppose local or statewide legislation which would require police officers to verify a person's immigration status upon arrest or require immigrants to prove that they are authorized to be in the country or risk state charges.

Resolved, that the 194th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio communicate this resolution and B006 to the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General of the State of Ohio; and that each congregation be encouraged to communicate the same to their state legislators and local law enforcement agencies.

Submitted by:
Commission on Global and Domestic Mission

Rationale:
Prior to General Convention, B006 was reviewed by the Social Justice and Public Policy Network and bishops. It was passed by both Houses of General Convention, with input from deputations and bishops serving in border states and areas of high-density immigrant populations, as well as in regions like ours which have more recently seen an increase in immigrant numbers.

Members of Ohio parishes have been deported or detained, ripping apart families. Immigrants have been detained, harassed and intimidated even though they presented documents of legal status. Some of our own clergy who are immigrants have faced exasperating situations, and several parishes have walked with immigrants through despair, needlessly inflicted by immigration policies and agencies that need reform.

Some in the Ohio legislature have proposed laws similar to Arizona's, which would not only permit but also require local law enforcement to take on the additional burden of immigration status inquiry and deportation processing, both federal responsibilities.

A General Accounting Office report released in March 2009 confirms these arrangements are ineffective in deterring undocumented immigration and riddled with abuse, lead to racial profiling, divert scant resources away from public safety, and may hinder the work of local investigators in solving and preventing crime. Where such laws have been enacted, law enforcement chiefs have often requested an exemption, citing additional costs, lack of training and resulting reduction in public safety.

Numerous cities, (San Francisco and Washington DC, among others), have sought to opt out of the current "Secure Communities" policy. In August, 2010 police chiefs of 27 major cities met to examine additional expenses of equipment, training and personnel Secure Communities would require and concluded that overall law enforcement would suffer.

Immigrants who are members of our congregations and those who serve in partnership with us have indicated that the Church's stand with them for immigration reform sends an important message of our intent to be present as Christ's representatives in their lives. This resolution offers one focused way, relevant to the immigration debate in our own local context, that we may "welcome the stranger" in our midst and in so doing, welcome Christ.

Impact on formation and mission
Providing relief to those who suffer injustice and offering hospitality to strangers is at the heart of the Christian message. In St. Matthew, Jesus began his life as an immigrant to Egypt with his family, and concludes his teaching of the Last Judgment based on the criteria of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners, and welcoming the strangers.

Our common story is about an immigrant child whose parents fled with him to a hostile country. We drink the common cup with immigrants and we are called to serve the common good, which means recognizing the needs and rights of immigrant families.

Program Impact
Implementation of this resolution involves a minimal effort on the part the Social Justice and Public Policy Commission, staff and individual congregations. To the extent that its purposes are realized, it will provide great relief to immigrant families and the congregations and clergy who minister to them.

The Social Justice and Public Policy Network of the Diocese of Southern Ohio prepared this rationale. The 106th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio is considering this resolution in the hope that both dioceses in Ohio will present a united witness in the State of Ohio.