The Interfaith Immigration Coalition Platform states that we look for immigration and refugee policies that prioritize family unity.
Families are the basic unit of strong communities. Unified families bring stability to individual households and strengthen neighborhoods and communities. Family members help one another navigate a new culture, pursue job opportunities, start businesses, and contribute economically, socially, and spiritually to society. As faith communities, we know that every family deserves stability and security. Children should not have to live with the fear of their parents being taken away from them at any moment. As we reform our laws to prioritize keeping families together, our communities will grow healthier and stronger.
Right now is a critical time to tell our national leaders to uphold the sanctity of family unity. As Congress and the administration consider proposals that would prolong family separation and dismantle the family-based immigration system, communities of faith are called to share why prioritizing family unity is important to our faith traditions. Below is a compilation of resources, messaging guidance, factsheets, and advocacy toolkits. For more information about IIC priorities, please click here.
Faith Talking Points and Ways to Take Action
- Talking Points on Family Unity
- Action Alert on Family Unity
- Family-Based Immigration: Basic Information and Frequently Asked Questions
- The Myth of “Chain Migration” and the Importance of Family Unity
- Interfaith Backgrounder: Family Unity
- Interfaith Backgrounder: Citizenship & Integration
Family-Based Immigration Factsheets
- How the United States Immigration System Works
- Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States
- Permanent Legal Immigration to the United States: Policy Overview
- How the Trump Administration’s Plan Would Shape the Composition of Immigration: First Numerical Estimates
- AILA Policy Brief: The Value of Family-Based Immigration
- Family Reunification Is the Bedrock of U.S. Immigration Policy
Statements on Family Unity
- #FamiliesBelongTogether: Faith Leaders Decry Family Separation, Urge National Leaders to Protect Family Unity (June 2018)
- National Faith Leader Letter Opposing H.R.4760, “Securing America’s Future Act” (February 2018)
- Faith Leader Quotes to Oppose Goodlatte Immigration Bill (February 2018)
- CWS Statement Opposing H.R.4760, the Securing America’s Future Act (January 2018)
- FCNL Opposes Goodlatte Immigration Proposal, Urges Action on Dreamer Citizenship (January 2018)
- CWS Statement Opposing White House Principles (January 2018)
- AFSC: 3 things you need to know about Trump’s harmful immigration proposal (January 2018)
- Family-based immigration and diversity visa program (December 2017)
- Faith leader letter opposing the RAISE Act of 2017 (August 2016)
Reports and Toolkits on Family-based Immigration
- USCCB: Faith-based Immigration and DREAMER Toolkit (January 2018)
- KIND: TARGETING FAMILIES HOW ICE ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ENDANGERS CHILDREN (December 2017)
- Women’s Refugee Commission: Betraying Family Values: How Immigration Policy at the United States Border is Separating Families (December 2017)
Faith Leader Testimony
- Testimony Of Most Reverend José H. Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles Chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Before the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security on Nuclear Families- March 14, 2013
- Testimony Of Most Reverend José H. Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles Chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Before the Senate Judiciary Committee On Comprehensive Immigration Reform- February 12, 2013
Past Action Alerts
- Reuniting American Families Act and Social Media Guidance
- Stop the RAISE Act of 2017
- Make Tuesday Night Family Night and Call your Senator
Past Statements and Letters
- Compiled Faith Statements for the Congressional Record pertaining to the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing “How Comprehensive Immigration Reform Should Address the Needs of Women and Families-March 18th, 2013
- Statements from members of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security Hearing: “The Separation of Nuclear Families Under U.S. Immigration Law”- March 14, 2013
- Clergy and Social Justice Leaders Reject ‘Gang of Eight’ Efforts to Radically Redefine Family
- Thank You Letter to Senator Hirono for her work on Family Unity Issues
- Senators’ Letter to Gang of 8 on Family
Past Resources on Women and Immigration
- National Council of Jewish Women on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
- Women’s Refugee Commission’s Talking Points on Family Unity and Enforcement
- Immigration Laws and Women: A History of Unfairness and Inequality
- Women and Immigration Reform: Key Facts and Figures
- Key Talking Points: Women’s Issues in Immigration Reform
News Media
- U.S. bishops condemn Trump’s proposal to end ‘chain migration,’ say it threatens families – America Magazine
- Keep our family immigration system out of Dream Act negotiations – The Hill
- Trump’s Call to End Family Migration and the Impact on Families of Color – Morning Consult
- Republicans Are Trying to Dismantle the Backbone of US Immigration Policy – The Nation
- Sharply curtailing family-based immigration as pushed by the White House would be harmful and wrong-headed: Michael Byun – Cleveland
- The Myth of Chain Migration – Politico
- Fil-Ams hail US immigration bill– Inquirer Global Nation
- Advancing Justice Statement on the Passage of Corker-Hoeven Amendment to Immigration Reform Bill– Sampan
- Immigration Campaign to Target 11 House Republicans– The New York Times
- Chuck Schumer: House Will Pass Senate Immigration Bill– The Huffington Post Blog
- House Republicans refuse to budge on Senate immigration bill– Los Angeles Times
- No pressure on House Republicans to tackle immigration reform– The Hill
- CBO: Senate immigration bill now cuts illegal immigration by half– The Washington Post
- Asian Immigrants Voice mixed feelings on Reform Bill– Mercury News
- South Asian Groups Concerned over new US Immigration Bill– The Hindu
- Senate’s Passage of Immigration Bill seen as Real Reform– The Rafu Shimpo
- The Senate Immigration Bill: A Q & A with Sen. Robert Menendez– NJ.com
- How Immigration Reform would Affect 3 Families– CNN
- Proposed Laws put curb on Family Visas– China Daily USA
- National Clergy, Labor Leaders Urge ‘Gang of Eight’ to Protect Families
- The Advantages of Family Based Immigration– Immigration Policy Center
- Sen. Hirono Op Ed on Family Unity: This is Personal to Me– Huffington Post
- Family Reunification must be part of immigration reform– The Hill’s Congress Blog
- Don’t Leave Families Out of Immigration Overhaul– Bloomberg
- Time to Strengthen Family Immigration– The New York Times
