The conference wants to help churches provide meaningful experiences for our immigrant communities. This page contains resources for individuals and congregations looking to provide support to immigrant populations in their community. For Immigration Podcasts & Videos, visit here. Learn how to get involved here. Read the UMC's position on immigration.
If you are interested in connecting with others in our conference on the issue of immigration, please contact one of the following persons: Sandy Sypherd, Chair of the Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team or Andrea Paret, Peace with Justice Coordinator, Great Plains Conference.
Rights & Planning Guide: From the Immigrant Legal Center - a comprehensive resource to make sure all know their rights. This downloadable document is in both English and Español.
Know Your Rights: From the Immigration Law & Justice Network - "Preparing for Trump in 2025: What to expect and know your rights." This downloadable document is in both English and Español.
Red Cards: All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. Order or print cards
The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement: A great source of up-to-date information and resources.Visit here
Non-Profit Legal Representation: A list of non-profit organizations in Kansas and Nebraska authorized to practice immigration law. Just scroll to our states. The list is updated regularly by the Department of Justice. Search here
Brown Immigration Law: Offers occasional webinars and seminars related to immigration concerns that can be helpful. Visit site
Immigrants Rights | ACLU Kansas: The ACLU of Kansas is dedicated to expanding and protecting the rights of immigrants in this state, regardless of their citizenship status. Learn more here
Immigrants Rights | ACLU Kansas: Every Nebraskan, regardless of their immigration status, has constitutional rights and protections in the U.S. Learn more here
Immigration & Globabl Migration: Our denomination is steadfast in its commitment to hospitality, affirming that immigrants, refugees, and asylees are beloved members of God’s family. We are called to advocate for fair and compassionate treatment of all immigrants and migrants, and to cultivate communities where hospitality and welcome are extended to those in our midst.Learn more here
Immigration Enforcement Guidance: From the ACLU of Nebraska. Guidance for places of worship, schools and health centers. Documents available for download:
Church World Service (www.churchworldservice.org) offers a number of resources on issues related to immigration and refugees. The following resources from Church World Service are available for use as small group studies or discussion starters on the topic of immigration:
Webinar explains stance on “Solidarity with the Sojourner”: Several general agencies of The United Methodist Church, the Council of Bishops and United Women in Faith partnered with the Immigration Law and Justice Network to host a webinar with information about advocacy, law, and ethics related to immigration. Titled “Solidarity with the Sojourner,” the webinar shared the Biblical foundation for The UMC’s stance on treatment of the immigrant, migrant and refugee, as shared in the denomination’s updated Social Principles.The recording of that webinar is now available at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/solidarity-with-the-sojourners.
Bishop Wilson to convene immigration task force: With threats of mass deportation looming by President-elect Donald Trump, Bishop David Wilson will convene a task force on immigration at the beginning of 2025 to address concerns of Hispanic congregations and citizens in the Great Plains Conference. Read this article from GPconnect from December 11, 2024
What is the view from the border? How can we journey in hope amid suffering? There are many organizations working with migrants on both sides of the US/Mexico border. In November 2018, Joanna Williams, the Director of Education and Advocacy at the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Arizona, and Sonora, Mexico (www.kinoborderinitiative.org), was part of a panel at the Education Day at Creighton University in Omaha. Read this articlefrom the GPconnect from December 12, 2018. Or, watch the presentation by Joanna Williams and the stories she shared about migrants coming to the border.
Author aims to break myths about immigration: “Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal” was the title of the keynote by Avi Chomksy during the International Educational Week at Creighton University in Omaha in November. Chomsky is professor of history and coordinator of Latin American, Latino and Caribbean Studies at Salem State University in Massachusetts. Read more in this article in the GPconnect from December 19, 2018.
Faith leaders struggle to bring message of hope to migrants: A small group of United Methodists waded into the cold Pacific Ocean to kneel and pray that the border wall separating the United States and Mexico would topple. They were part of a group of more than 300 faith leaders who marched to the wall on International Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, in a “moral call for migrant justice.”Read morein this article from UM News on December 11, 2018.
2025 Statement:Church and Society Opposes Mass Deportation in U.S. Read here
Immigration to the U.S.: U.S. policy has focused on enforcement, rather than addressing root causes. It is time to focus on holistic reform. Read more in this article from Church & Society
Immigrant Welcoming Communities: Building Teams for a Justice Journey.Download the document
