Immigration Justice and Reform

Hope Church has organized several work/study teams that traveled to Mexico to build relationships with Mexican Christians and to study the issues of global justice. Out of these experiences grew a concern for immigration justice and comprehensive immigration reform.

In 2006, Hope introduced a resolution to the UCC’s Central Atlantic Conference addressing their concerns. The resolution was passed by the conference and forwarded to the UCC’s General Synod in 2007. The resolution called for an end to the U.S. militarization of its southern border. It also directed the denomination to provide immigration justice education to its members and to partner with global and U.S. organizations that advocate for justice, comprehensive immigration reform and provide services to those in the undocumented community. The resolution was passed by the 26th General Synod in summer 2007.

Hope members continue to be actively involved with the implementation of the resolution and participate on the denomination’s Justice and Witness immigration rights strategy committee. Future international mission trips are being planned.

You can read the resolution on the UCC web site at http://www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/immigration-final.pdf (PDF).