Unitarian Universalist Association Policy on Immigration
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) has been explicitly on record in support of more just immigration policies since 1963. In a statement entitled “Immigration,” the 1963 General Assembly recognized that the outdated system “contradicts the founding principles of the nation and is at variance with national needs and international responsibilities.” In dozens of resolutions over the years, the Association has affirmed that:
- All people—without regard to immigration status—deserve access to fair wages, education, housing, healthcare, and other social services; and
- Immigrants are at high risk for being denied basic rights and services and thus warrant our special support.
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee joined with 60 other religious groups in signing the Interfaith Statement In Support Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform (PDF). The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations is also one of the more than 20 members of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.
Key UUA Social Justice Statements pertaining to Immigration and/or Migrant Workers
- 1961 General Resolution on Migrant Workers: calls on Congress to pass and enforce legislation that would support better wages, education, housing, healthcare, and other services for “one of the most disadvantaged [groups] in our population.”
- 1963 General Resolution on Immigration: calls for an update to federal immigration policy, including to "remove the purely arbitrary barriers to immigration on the basis of race and national origin.”
- 1980 General Resolution, 1983 General Resolution, 1984 General Resolution, 1985 General Resolution, 1985 Business Resolution, 1986 General Resolution: calls on Unitarian Universalists to endorse and support the Sanctuary Movement to protect the lives of Central American refugees.
- 1992 General Resolution on Children Held in INS Detention: calls for better treatment of children held by the INS.
- 1995 Resolution of Immediate Witness to Call for Conscious, Humane Treatment of Immigrants: “demands a just application of human rights at both the state and national levels for all people living within our borders.”
- 2006 Action of Immediate Witness to Support Immigrant Justice: calls for “just and comprehensive immigration reform.”
- 2007 Action of Immediate Witness to Support Immigrant Families and Stop ICE Raids: calls for “an immediate moratorium of all inhumane raids and resulting deportations."
For more information contact socialjustice @ uua.org.
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Last updated on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
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