Resolution from the 216th General Assembly

Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) recommends that the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) do the following:

1. Approve the Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States, and call upon the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its governing bodies to take the following actions:

a. Advocate the establishment by law of a comprehensive legalization program for undocumented persons already living and working in the United States.

b. Advocate the reform of current immigration policies and procedures to ensure a more timely and humane process, with special attention to family reunification and to those persons who have been waiting for their immigrant visas and for naturalization.

c. Adamantly oppose the exploitation of any and all workers as a violation of the humane and just treatment due to all children of God.

d. Join with interfaith and secular organizations that are working for comprehensive legalization.

e. Direct the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) to communicate the above actions to the president of the United States, members of the United States Congress, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS), and the national and international ecumenical organizations to which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) relates.