Young people march for immigration reform at a rally in Washington, D.C. Photo: Carol Fouke
CWS is planning to host a Global Summit that will focus on the need for congressional action on comprehensive immigration reform. This Global Summit will be a significant learning and collaboration component in the mission that is set before us: to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
“We know first-hand the importance of immigration reform,” says the Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS President and CEO. “Our history of welcoming the stranger on behalf of the Protestant Church in the U.S. is more than six decades old. The time to use our experience and connection as the Church is now.”
Our goal is to gather more than 200 prominent national and local faith leaders from key states October 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C. These pastors, lay leaders and grassroots organizers will gather together for one day of learning and community. Strategic workshops will discuss immigration legislation and provide an opportunity to commit advocating with policy makers. Participants will be asked to lift up their voices in the media, and to build stronger, more welcoming communities.
On the Summit’s second day, these faith leaders will meet with their Representatives with the aim of showing powerful support among people of faith.
“As one of the nation’s leading immigration and resettlement agencies we also hope to discuss the global implications of one of the most important public policy issues of our time,” McCullough says.
CWS has taken a leadership role in the faith community’s advocacy for immigration reform that prioritizes family unity and creates a roadmap to citizenship for our undocumented brothers and sisters. We have facilitated more than 100 in-district congressional visits; 1,000 faith events; and 3,000 calls to congress in support of immigration reform.
“This Global Summit is an opportunity to elevate the importance of immigration reform and to mobilize our member churches and the millions of Americans who attend their congregations,” McCullough said.
For more information , please contact Ann Walle at awalle@churchworldservice.org.