wfn.org | Immigrant Benefits

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (37
notes).

Note 35 by UMNS on April 23, 1997 at 16:04 Eastern (2421 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Bloom                         223(10-21-30-71B){35}
          New York (212) 870-3803                   April 23, 1997

United Methodists join call
to reinstate immigrant benefits

by United Methodist News Service

     The United Methodist Board of Church and Society joined a
call for reinstatement of benefits to legal immigrants at an April
23 press conference in Washington, D.C.
     Sponsored by the National Immigration Forum, the press
conference drew attention to the fact that within 100 days -- on
August 1 -- elderly and disabled legal immigrants will begin to
lose welfare benefits.
     The Rev. Thom "White Wolf" Fassett, Church and Society's top 
staff executive, noted that his agency "is gravely concerned about
the impact of the new welfare law on immigrants who are elderly
and disabled, as well as on immigrant children and non-citizen
women in need of prenatal care."
     Anxiety over the threatened loss of federal welfare benefits
which pay for food and shelter "has already resulted in tragic
suicides," Fassett declared.
     "Immigrants came to this country in search of a better life;
it goes against biblical teachings and human compassion to take
away their livelihood," he stated. "Jesus Christ's own life was
characterized by uprootedness and he modeled how we are to act
with love and compassion for the sojourner."
     Board of Church and Society officials are calling on United
Methodists to urge President Clinton and Congress to enact
legislation to reinstate SSI, Medicare and food stamp benefits for
immigrants. "We also encourage our members to hold vigils and
services to show our support for immigrants and their well-being,"
he said.
     "The need for a federal fix is pressing," Fassett added. "The
states, the religious community and social service agencies cannot
be expected to shoulder the burden alone."
     He noted that the 1996 United Methodist General Conference --
the denomination's legislative body -- calls upon members to
actively oppose anti-immigrant legislative action; urge that
humane and fair treatment be extended to all immigrants by
business and agricultural groups and advocate for human rights for
all people.
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