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The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington Adopts Policy Statement on Immigration
June 6, 2011, Washington, D.C. – The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), which represents 11 different faith communities, adopted a new policy statement on immigration entitled “Immigration: An Ongoing Justice Issue.” As an organization that strives to advance justice, build community, and nurture understanding in the Washington metropolitan area the IFC acts as a round table for diverse faith communities – from Baha’i to Zoroastrian -- to discern and ultimately, to speak out on, issues of common concern. As the new policy states, though our member religious communities may “meditate and worship in different ways, we are united in our affirmation of the ancient and universal golden rule: Treat others in the way that you yourself want to be treated.”
IFC’s Policy Statement on Immigration acknowledges that the history of the United States “has been characterized by waves of immigrants from various parts of the world in search of a better life.” Particularly, the Washington Metro area is a prime example of a diverse immigrant community which displays the promises and challenges of living here in America. IFC acknowledges that its existence is a result of the rich diversity of this regions immigrant history. Due to this, the IFC is “committed to the ongoing task of broadening understanding of our region’s diverse religious traditions and of the positive impact of multiple cultures in our society.”
Unfortunately, the immigrant population faces many obstacles when coming here for a better life. IFC deplores such treatment as the “exploitation of undocumented as well as legal immigrants including gross mistreatment, separation of families and human trafficking.” These challenges come out of social and economic conditions and IFC calls for policies in these areas to be changed.
Based on a respect for human dignity, IFC calls “for policies of governments in Virginia, Maryland the District of Columbia that affirm the human rights of immigrants, provide fair treatment and preserve the unity of immigrant families.” The policy statement goes on to promote the work of local and regional organizations that address the struggles of the immigrant community as well as to urge that government provide a sound way for qualified undocumented immigrants to become citizens..
IFC emphasizes the importance of civility in the critically important debates regarding immigration. Building on President Obama’s approach that all sides sit down together “to shape a practical, common sense approach that reflects our heritage and our values . . . an approach [that] demands accountability from everybody – from government, from businesses and from individuals,” IFC believes a just and balanced solution can be found. IFC acknowledges that although immigration reform is a difficult subject, the benefits our society gains from immigrant communities in our midst make for a positive struggle.
