Resolution 2025-01
“United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio:
Forming an Ohio Site of the Immigration Law & Justice Network”
Submitted for consideration by both the East and West Ohio Annual Conferences:
Whereas: the Word of God implores all Christians to welcome migrants into our churches and communities and to treat noncitizens as our native-born citizens (E.g., Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 25:35); and
Whereas: the state of Ohio is home to more than 594,000 foreign-born people, including migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants, who worship in our pews, stand behind our pulpits, and lead within and beyond the walls of our churches (See United States Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Ohio). In the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church, we are grateful for the ways that U.S. citizens and noncitizens share in leadership and witness as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world; and
Whereas: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph fled Herod’s persecution and sought refuge in Egypt (Matthew 2:13−18). Likewise, refugees and asylum-seekers from around the world have fled persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and sought refuge in Ohio. In 2024, Ohio resettled more than 4,300 refugees from 47 countries, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nicaragua, Ukraine, and Venezuela (Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services). Additionally, more than 16,740 noncitizens have pending cases in the Cleveland Immigration Court, including asylum-seekers from Venezuela, Mauritania, Haiti, Honduras, and Guatemala (TRAC, Immigration Court Backlog); and
Whereas: in the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church, “[w]e oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize, or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants, or refugees” (Social Principles, The Political Community, ¶ 163.G); and
Whereas: unjust immigration laws and policies separate families, detain migrants in inhumane and unsanitary conditions for profit, restrict access to employment authorization and other necessary benefits, and deprive vulnerable migrants of protections like asylum. For example, due to policy-driven backlogs in the Cleveland Immigration Court, asylum-seekers must wait an average of 2,050 days before they are able to present their asylum cases (TRAC, Immigration Court Backlog). And, when they finally get their day in immigration court, only 29% of represented asylum-seekers and 9% of unrepresented asylum-seekers win asylum (TRAC, Asylum Decisions); and
Whereas: racism and xenophobia have led to discrimination and violence against migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants, including members of our churches, communities, and families. For example, in September 2024, Springfield, Ohio was subjected to at least 30 bomb threats due to the racist anti-Haitian rhetoric of our politicians (AP News); and
Whereas: our Social Principles urge all United Methodists to “welcome migrants, refugees, and immigrants into their congregations and to commit themselves to providing concrete support, including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment and other kinds of support” (The Political Community, ¶ 163.G); and
Whereas: in 1999, United Methodist Committee on Relief (“UMCOR”) established the Immigration Law & Justice Network (formerly Justice For Our Neighbors (“JFON”)) to provide free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, education, and advocacy for migrant rights. Through 19 sites across the United States, the Immigration Law & Justice Network continues to fight for “[a] nation where every immigrant has access to justice in an anti-racist immigration system that honors the dignity of all people” (Immigration Law & Justice Network, Our Purpose: Vision); and
Whereas: the East Ohio Annual Conference has encouraged “all churches to educate and equip their members to provide hospitality and welcome to migrants and refugees in their communities” (East Ohio Annual Conference Resolution 2017-02). Likewise, the West Ohio Annual Conference has encouraged all clergy and congregations to support United Methodists who “organize to provide material, legal and spiritual services to the refugees and immigrants among us” (West Ohio Annual Conference Resolution 2018-06); and
Whereas: the Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio, including lay and clergy members of the East and West Ohio Conferences (“Task Force”), has encouraged local churches to offer sanctuary, housing, and food to asylum-seekers and other migrants; distributed educational and Know Your Rights materials to our churches and communities; and advocated for policy change toward migrant justice; and
Whereas: the Task Force recommends forming an Ohio site of the Immigration Law & Justice Network to provide immigration legal services to low-income noncitizens, education about the immigration system, and advocacy for migrant rights, or to otherwise further our work of sharing God’s love and justice with noncitizens in our churches and communities;
Therefore, be it resolved: that the Annual Conference supports the Task Force’s efforts to establish an Immigration Law & Justice Network site in Ohio; and
Be it further resolved: that, upon recommendation of the conference council on ministries in consultation with the conference council on finance and administration (Book of Discipline, ¶ 265), the Annual Conference establishes an annual “Welcoming Migrants Sunday” or similar special offering to begin in Calendar Year 2027. Members of local churches will be invited to financially support an Ohio Immigration Law & Justice Network site or its predecessor organizations, including the Task Force, through an Advance established by the East Ohio Conference; and
Be it further resolved: that the Annual Conference recommits itself to boldly living out our baptismal vows to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves, including xenophobia, racism, religious discrimination, and all other forms of intersectional oppression; and
Be it further resolved: that the Annual Conference supports all other efforts of clergy and congregations to provide tangible support to migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants.
Respectfully submitted by: the Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio and other supporters:
West Ohio Conference:
Rev. Emily Kvalheim, Esq. (she/her), Co-Chair |
Dr. Robert W. Keith (he/him) |
East Ohio Conference:
Board of Ministry Dr. Martha E. Banks (she/her) |
Rev. Tammy Palermo (she/her) |
