Who we are

The Office of Immigration Issues, located in the Office of the General Assembly, was created upon a resolution passed at the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Julia A. Thorne was hired in July 2005 as Manager of Immigration Issues/ Immigration Counsel. She communicates with middle governing bodies, PC(USA) entities and ecumenical agencies on immigration issues and policies. She also provides regular updates, reliable advice and counsel to presbyteries and pastors whose members have immigration questions or issues.

The Office of Immigration Issues will:

• Develop legal materials that help our middle governing bodies and sessions receive and welcome into our faith communities people from other cultures and ethnicities.
  
  
• Make available on the PC(USA) Web site appropriate linkages and information on reliable immigration services so that congregations, middle governing bodies and individuals have the latest information regarding these issues.
  
  
• Identify resources for pastoral care with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, detainees, and others in our communities with immigration issues.
  
  
• Chair an Immigration Staff Team (IMTAB). The team is a point of coordination for all ministry work and immigration advocacy related to racial ethnic and immigrant church growth and evangelism so that work that now crosses divisional lines can be better coordinated and focused in support of the Racial Ethnic/Immigrant Evangelism and Church Growth Strategy approved by the 210th General Assembly (1998).
  
  
• Resource national staff regarding immigration issues.
  
  
• Network and refer Middle Governing Bodies and PC(USA) Churches to agencies, organizations and legal counsel that can deal effectively with immigration issues.
  
  
• Consult with the members of the Advisory Committee on Litigation (ACL) in the areas of immigration and asylum federal law.
  
  
• Advocate for the reform of current immigration law, policies and procedures as outlined in the Resolution passed at the 216th General Assembly (2004).

Staff

Julia A. Thorne
Manager for Immigration Issues/Immigration Counsel
Room 4622
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Email: Julia Thorne
Phone: (888) 728-7228, x5372
Fax: (502) 569-8822

So where is Julia?