The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Resolutions
R-9s Working for a Just and Humane Immigration Policy
As adopted by the 213 th Annual Council.
Resolved, that the 213 th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia calls on its
congregations to commit to welcoming strangers as a matter of Christian
responsibility, to being advocates for their well being and protection and urge
its congregations to resist legislation and actions that violate our fundamental
beliefs as Christians, including the criminalization of persons providing
humanitarian assistance to migrants; and be it further
Resolved, that the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and its congregations undertake a
campaign to educate ourselves and our communities as to the plight of
refugees, immigrants and migrants, which will include information about the
root causes of migration; and be it further
Resolved, that this 213 th Annual Council opposes recent efforts by some local
governments within our Diocese to implement policies that deny rights,
privileges and services to immigrants; and be it further
Resolved, that this 213 th Annual Council calls on local governments acting in our
Diocese, to the extent legally possible, to refrain from actions which harass
and bring fear to the immigrant community, and not to undertake, sanction,
encourage or allow raids of immigrant communities for the primary purpose
of locating and seizing persons who are undocumented; and be it further
Resolved, that this 213 th Annual Council join the 75 th General Convention of the
Episcopal Church in deploring any action by the government of the United
States which unduly emphasizes enforcement, including militarization of
the border between the United States and Mexico, as the primary response to
immigrants entering the United States to work; and be it further
Resolved, that this 213 th Annual Council calls upon President Bush, our U.S. Senators,
and members of Congress to pursue a just and humane immigration policy,
incorporating the following fundamental policy principles of the Episcopal
Church set forth in Resolution 2006-A017 and adopted by the 75 th General
Convention of the Episcopal Church:
1. Undocumented aliens should have reasonable opportunity to pursue
permanent residence.
2. Legal workers should be allowed to enter the United States to respond to
recognized labor force needs.
3. Close family members should be allowed to reunite without undue delay
with individuals lawfully present in the United States.
4. Fundamental U.S. principles of legal due process should be granted to all
persons.
5. Enforcement of national borders and immigration policies should be
proportional and humane; and be it further
Resolved, that the Bishop of Virginia and the Executive Board establish a process to
monitor legislative efforts related to immigration policy, to communicate with
the Diocese and request appropriate action; and be it further
Resolved, that congregations and individuals in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
be urged to contact their legislative representatives and local government
officials within 60 days of Council and press them to pursue these principles.
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The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council