Where to get connected for immigration reform
If you, your church, or your organization is ready to begin working for comprehensive immigration reform, this page is designed to assist you.
On this page you will find connections to United Methodist and interfaith agencies and organizations that provide resources and training for the work of immigration reform advocacy, as well as a place to become connected.
Non-United Methodist Church agencies
In its work for immigration reform, the primary ally of Desert Southwest Conference is the Arizona Interfaith Network (AIN) and its counterpart in formation in Nevada. For more information about the work of the AIN and other organizing groups with which the Desert Southwest Conference works closely, please click here.
United Methodist Agencies and Organizations
1) The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is charged with leading the church advocate for those issues outlined in the church's Social Principles and in its current Book of Resolutions. The board has several helpful resources:
a) Faith in Action is a weekly forum that you can receive by E-mail. It covers a wide variety of issues. You can also submit material to it.
b) The Knowledge Center page on Immigration has several useful study resources and is updated regularly.
c) The Action Center will help you learn how to get more involved in advocacy for immigration reform.
d) The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is coordinated through the office of Bill Mefford. It is comprised of annual conference teams committed to the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. All annual conferences may join the RRT. For more information contact: bmefford(at)umc-gbcs.org.
2) The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) has several program units that deal with the issues surrounding immigration and immigration reform.
a) Immigration and Refugees, under the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), works for the formation of free immigration legal clinics throughout the country.
3) The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR)
4) The United Methodist Women (UMW)