Reunite Immigrant Families

Whereas, the United States government recently implemented a coercive “zero tolerance” policy resulting in the traumatic separation of children from immigrant parents and the subsequent incarceration of children in detention centers; and Whereas, the President of the United States signed a subsequent Executive Order ceasing this separation, yet omitting any language about the children previously separated and housed in detention centers; and Whereas, God instructs us to not oppress the alien among us (Leviticus 19:33-34) and care for the least among us (Matthew 25:40); and  Whereas, ¶162.H of the The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state, “We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children, and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families.” (The 2016 Book of Discipline); therefore, be it Resolved, that the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ, shall respectfully request the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of Justice to reunite children with their families who had previously been separated by the United States government due to the “zero tolerance” policy in an expedient, humane, and compassionate manner.