Network for immigration issues launched

"Presbyterians for Just Immigration" building reform momentum

by Eun-hyey Park

In her few short months as Manager for Immigration Issues, Julia Thorne has encountered Presbyterians across the country concerned about the United States' immigration policies. Many are active in ministry and advocacy at local and state levels and others are extremely interested on what is happening at the national level. "They wanted to know what we were doing as a denomination," Thorne explained.

Some, like Rev. Mauricio Chacón, pastor of Iglesia Presbiteriana de la Misión in San Francisco, have long been advocates for immigration reform. Says Chacón, "I work every day with undocumented immigrants . . . I want them to know that the per-capita they pay to the church is because they are part of a denomination that is also fighting for their rights."

Momentum has been building to discuss what the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should be doing about immigration reform. Late last year, an Immigration Advocacy Table was formed with national staff from Social Witness Policy, Global Service and Witness, Immigrant Groups Ministries, National Disaster Response, Women's Ministries, Peacemaking, Racial Justice and Advocacy, the Washington Office, and 216th General Assembly Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase. Previously, at the National Consultation of Hispanic Ministries, a group met to draft a companion document regarding immigration in relation to the implementation of a national strategy for Hispanic/Latino/a evangelism and church growth, approved by the 208th General Assembly (1998) as part of the larger Racial Ethnic/Immigrant Evangelism and Church Growth Report. The consensus was that the time had come for "a network to facilitate discussion" and to "define our denomination's message on immigration."

In late February, talk became reality. "Presbyterians For Just Immigration (PFJI)," an e-newsletter, was launched for those in our denomination who want to connect with other Presbyterians around the issue of immigration. By March 1, the network had already garnered 250+ members. Thorne commented, "This is amazing and so exciting for our denomination, and the work we feel called to do regarding immigration in the U.S."

Members of PFJI have used the e-newsletter to share resources and suggest strategies for advocacy. For instance, Angel Suárez-Valera, Associate for Immigrant Group Ministries, emphasized the importance of establishing strong ties with the Racial Ethnic Caucuses. Others have shared information on groups and websites they have found helpful regarding immigration education and advocacy, and statements from other denominations that also are asking the US government to reform its immigration policy.

PFJI members come from diverse geographical, theological, racial and cultural backgrounds. To be accessible to all who have an interest in immigration, the group has a provision in its ground rules that members should feel free to communicate in the language most comfortable to them. "This new network is open for everyone who wants to express themselves in their own language, so others can learn more about all these issues," says Chacón. The rules suggest, however, that members could provide translation to widen the range of readers who could understand.

Chacón sees the network as "follow up for the Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the U.S." [approved by the 216th General Assembly (2004)]. He hopes "that we may continue educating ourselves on immigrant issues and forming a conscience for just and compassionate immigration reform, not only in our Church, but the whole nation."

Thorne's ultimate dream is to see the PC(USA) be at the forefront of a movement to transform our nation's immigration system. Many non-immigrant Presbyterians remain ignorant of the difficulties of the U.S. immigration system, and the daily humiliations immigrants - documented or otherwise - face. Members of PFJI believe the network will empower those already advocating for changes in US immigration law by creating a space to share vision, best practices, news alerts, liturgical resources, articles and action steps.