Immigration Resources

To our immigrant neighbors, we see you, we value you, and we stand with you.

No matter what happens, please know that we want you here. Our organization and community partners are committed to being safe and welcoming places for new American families. You are an integral part of our neighborhood, and we offer you our unconditional love and support. We will not let go of your hands. Together, we will continue to work for a community where everyone can thrive.

A Message of Hope and Justice

"Our call is to love the stranger among us, to seek justice, and to welcome with open hearts and open arms." — UMC Council of Bishops

The Pastoral Letter from the UMC Council of Bishops is a heartfelt and urgent call to action for all United Methodists. It reminds us of our biblical mandate to love and welcome the stranger, to stand against injustice, and to offer support to those in need.

The letter highlights the plight of migrants who face persecution, separation, and uncertainty, urging us to see their humanity and act as Christ would. It calls on our church communities to:

Advocate for fair and compassionate immigration policies.
Provide tangible support to immigrant families through legal aid, housing, and resources.
Build relationships with immigrant neighbors, fostering understanding and solidarity.
Pray without ceasing for those who are suffering and those working toward justice.

As United Methodists, we are called to embody God’s love by creating spaces of refuge and support. Together, we can be instruments of God’s peace and justice in a world that desperately needs both.

Bethel International UMC's Immigration Resource Page

At Bethel International UMC, we believe in extending Christ's love to all our neighbors, especially those navigating the complexities of immigration. We recognize the challenges faced by immigrant families and are committed to providing compassionate support, practical resources, and a voice for justice.

Below are resources that the United Methodist Church has gathered. We are sharing them here to help support our community.

We have resources for:

Immigrants and Their Families, Friends, and Supporting Allies
Advocacy and Justice
United Methodists

My Bethel Groups

BIUMC For Social Justice

Immigrants & Their Families, Friends, and Supporting Allies

Website Resources

Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas

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.

Informed Immigrant

Learn how to prepare yourself, friends and church members for an immigration raid.

Immigration Law & Justice Network

A United Methodist immigration ministry that provides free immigration legal services at clinics across the United States and engages in community and legislative advocacy.

National Immigration Law Center

This website provides accurate legal information regarding the rights of immigrants when facing raids and deportation. Also contains important information on preparing families.

ABLE Law

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high-quality legal assistance in civil matters to groups in Ohio.

Immigration - Faith In Action

The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church emphasizes the biblical call to welcome and love immigrants.

Downloadable Resources

Learn About Migrant Accompaniment

You can help others learn how to advocate for themselves and their families when facing an immigration raid.

Resources for Undocumented Students

Legal rights of undocumented children, legal assistance, and community resources.

Prepare Your Family for Immigration Enforcement

Develop an emergency response plan, rights in immigration court, and more.

Worksite Raid Toolkit

If a worksite in your town is raided by ICE, this toolkit can help.

Know Your Rights & Family Preparedness

This 7-minute video provides critical information regarding rights of all immigrants and how to create a family plan. View the same video in Spanish.

More "Know Your Rights" resources from ABLE.

Download a set of flyers created by American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and know your constitutional rights when facing ICE in your home, at work, or in public.

Click your perfered language to download the set.

Advocacy and Justice

Advocate with Congressional Leaders

To find your Congressional Representative, go to this link.

To contact Ohio's U.S. Senators, go to this link.

You can also call 202-224-3121; ask for your Representative by name; and tailor your message by using the following talking points:

Introduce yourself as a concerned constituent and a United Methodist.

Urge them to overturn unjust immigration laws and practices.

Mass Deporation Pledge of Resistance

Add your name to the Deportation Resistance.

Whether as a citizen, a worker, faith leader, business owner, artist, labor leader, or elected official at any level, we can peacefully, powerfully noncooperate with the evil of Trump’s mass deportation project. Join us and pledge nonviolent civil resistance.

Connect and Volunteer

Get involved with the Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries in Ohio!

Email: Emily Kvalheim at deaconemilykvalheim@gmail.com

or fill out the interest form HERE.

Pray

We are a people of prayer, and prayer can be an effective public witness.

If you are a person of prayer, include Immigration Reform and immigrants affected by the new government administration in your daily prayers.

If you want to do more, organize a prayer vigil for Immigration Reform using this Planning Tool Kit and reflect on the deep scriptural roots of just immigration reform.

Donate

Legal fees can be a barrier to help for some families.

ABLE has a way for you to support legal services in your community with a donation. Your commitment to justice and support of our annual campaigns and events will protect the civil rights of people who have low income in western Ohio.

Our Commitment as United Methodists

2016 Book of Discipline 162.H

"We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children, and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families."

2016 Book of Resolutions #3281

Welcoming the Migrant to the US - We advocate for the "elimination of indefinite detention [and the] incarceration of children".

2016 Book of Resolutions #6028

"Global Migration and the Quest for Justice"

Why Does the Church Care About Immigration?

Scott Hicks is a Part-time Local Pastor at Oregonia United Methodist Church in the Ohio River Valley District of the West Ohio Conference. Hicks shares why the church cares about immigration and explores the topic of immigration within the Biblical text.

"A statement from The General Board of Church and Society calls for a bold witness to stand against U.S. immigration and mass deportation policies influenced by misinformation, hate, fear and harm."

Read The Full Statement