4/3/2015 – En el día de hoy MARCHA, el caucus hispano/latino de la Iglesia Metodista Unida lanzó su nuevo portal en la internet www.marchaumc.org. La nueva versión del portal, el cual utiliza la plataforma de Word Press y Genesis, contiene un diseño fresco y fácil de navegar. Además, provee nueva funcionabilidad como blogs, formas interactivas y nuevas capacidades de expansión. “Luego de 2 meses de trabajo, nos sentimos muy satisfechos con este avance que nos permitirá fortalecer nuestra presencia en la internet y mejorar nuestra conexión con el pueblo hispano/latino. [Read more…]

Great Concern. The recent cases highlighted in the news, are two more examples of the unequal application of justice in our nation, and the apparent lack of accountability and transparency of the mistreatment and unnecessary force, with tragic consequences, used by police against people of color. [Read more…]

Durante los días del 18 al 20 de noviembre de 2014, líderes de las iglesias Metodistas de Centro América y México se reunieron en una Cumbre Iberoamericana para explorar maneras en las que las iglesias en Centro América pueden acompañar al pueblo inmigrante durante su largo viaje. El evento fue auspiciado por la Junta de Ministerios Globales y el Plan Nacional de Ministerio Hispanos-Latinos. Antes de finalizar el evento, los presentes redactaron una carta que refleja las intenciones del grupo. MARCHA, como miembro del Comité Inter Agencia de la Iglesia Metodista Unida, celebra y respalda esta iniciativa en favor del pueblo migrante.

MARCHA (Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans) commends President Barack Obama for his long awaited executive decision to act on immigration. We rejoice that about 5 million undocumented persons will temporarily benefit from the President’s action. They will be able to put aside their fear of apprehension and deportation, and most important they will remain with their children in the US. We also celebrate President Obama’s decision to suspend the Secure Communities Program, a policy that has created so much pain among undocumented persons, and communities in general, separating families, and that was misused by law enforcement officials who criminalized persons for minor infractions and lacking proper documentation.

We remain concerned that millions of hard working persons are being excluded from these actions, like parents of Dreamers, farm workers, and the children and families from Central America who fled their countries due to the increased violence by organized crime. Children, as young as eight years of age, are being recruited by the gangs (maras) coopted by the narco-traffic networks that have developed in Honduras, El Salvador Guatemala and Mexico.

We are keenly aware that the US immigration system is broken and requires a comprehensive reform that is fair just, fair, based on high ethical and moral principles and provides a path for citizenship. A reform that the US Congress has been unable or unwilling to accomplish. This is a human rights issue. MARCHA is committed to continue to work and advocate before Congress until this kind of reform is achieved and invites all United Methodists and other people of faith to join us in this important cause.