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.