Whereas Jesus Christ commands his disciples to serve the immigrant with the same love and respect we would serve the Lord (Mt. 25:31-46);
Whereas the United Methodist Church is an international body inclusive of persons without regard for race, nationality, or status;
Whereas the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church speak against racism, colonialism, and the abuse and criminalization of migrants, refugees, and immigrants;
Whereas recent official practices have moved beyond administration and enforcement into deterrence and defamation that harms immigrants, indigenous persons and persons of color, and faith-based organizations serving them.
Therefore, the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church declares:
-
The immigrant-serving ministries of the Rio Texas Conference of the UMC are obedient to the teachings of Jesus Christ and Christian religion and represent the free exercise thereof;
-
Migration is a fundamental human right that was practiced by the family of Jesus Christ;
-
Persons of Latin American identity are descendants of the original indigenous inhabitants of the Americas and should not be regarded as “alien.”
-
Xenophobic violence and the white supremacist doctrine of Manifest Destiny are unjust, immoral, incompatible with Christian identity and practice, and contrary to the constitution, laws, and doctrines of the United Methodist Church.
-
The churches, ministries, and members of the Rio Texas Conference consist of, stand with, and provide welcome to indigenous, immigrant, and non-white individuals, families, and communities and will not collaborate in any way with their defamation, oppression, removal, or destruction.