Immigration Podcasts & Videos

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 Articles & Publications, 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.

Videos:

Nebraska Department of Education School Safety: Please note: include the period at the beginning of passcode. Watch video here and Passcode: .gKqH@&4
Train the Trainer: As part of the Great Plains Conference's efforts to show love for immigrants, migrants and refugees, the conference hosted Zoom webinars — this one in English — provided by the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA), based in Omaha. This recording is from a Zoom webinar Feb. 3, 2025. Download slides (English)

Capacitación para el Capacitador (Español): https://vimeo.com/1055371607
Descargar diapositivas (Español)

In addition to the videos and slides, CIRA has created a presentation request form to prioritize incoming requests (linked here) for anyone seeking a presentation or more information.
Safety Video: This Spanish language safety video discusses the importance of individuals and families knowing their legal rights and having a plan. Watch here
We Are DREAMers: The documentary “We Are DREAMers” premiered in 2018. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program provides nearly 800,000 undocumented young immigrants with protection from deportation for a period of two years, subject to renewal. View documentary
Pastor Orlando Gallardo from the Great Plains Annual Conference is among the Dreamers waiting for citizenship. Watch him share his experience as an undocumented immigrant allowed to stay in the country.

Podcasts:

Immigration Frustrations: The campaign promise by President-elect Donald Trump for mass deportations has created more than a little anxiety among people who are immigrants to the United States. While some Americans may think it worthwhile to deport people illegally in the country, many people who are on the pathway to permanent residency or even citizenship fear the route the finish line they have been moving toward may be pushed farther back or eliminated.

Todd Seifert, conference communications director, talks to three pastors — Cesar Duran, Juan Espinoza and Velma Tim, themselves immigrants to the United States — about the fears they have heard from members of their communities and what their churches are doing to try to help. Listen here