Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

President invites bishop to immigration meeting

United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcao was among a small group of faith leaders invited by President Barack Obama to a private meeting at the White House March 8 to discuss immigration reform.

"Immigration reform is a moral issue we all share in common," she said of the 14 religious leaders at the meeting.

"During the meeting, the president emphasized that comprehensive immigration reform was a high priority for him, and he asked us as faith leaders to continue to push for it," she told United Methodist News Service.

Obama asked the faith leaders to support the bipartisan group of U.S. senators who are supporting immigration reform: Michael Bennet (D.-Colo.), Richard Durbin (D.-Ill.), Jeff Flake (R.-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R.-S.C.), John McCain (R.-Ariz), Robert Menendez (D.-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Charles Schumer (D.-N.Y.).

"He told us they were facing great anger for their stand," the bishop said.

Carcao said she was able to thank the president for his "courageous" step on behalf of DREAMers last summer. "Because of his bold step, we were able to put pressure on the regents at the University of Hawaii, and they have just approved in-state tuition for DREAMers."

Carcao said the president made it clear that he cares for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States and millions of young people who came to the country as children and now are seeking a path to citizenship to complete college degrees or serve in military service. They are called DREAMers in reference to the DREAM Act or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.

'Reunification of families top priority'

Reunification of families is a top priority for United Methodists, she said. She told the president that United Methodists have held close to 300 prayer vigils in February in support of immigration reform.

"It was so wonderful to hear him say this was high priority for him and that he believes this is the season for immigration reform," she said.

For further exploration

Learn more about the church's stance on immigration.

Also find related stories and resources

This is the second time the president has called on Carcao to join him as he speaks on immigration reform. In January, Obama invited her to a high school in Las Vegas when he outlined his plan for immigration reform. She was also included in a conference call with Vice President Joe Biden on Feb. 28.

Carcao is episcopal leader for the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference and chair of the United Methodist Interagency Taskforce on Immigration. She has been the spokesperson for immigration reform for the United Methodist Council of Bishops since 2006.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble, episcopal leader of the Iowa Conference and also a member of the taskforce, said he applauded elected officials meeting with constituents including representatives of the religious leadership of America.

"As a Bishop of The United Methodist Church, I applaud those who champion a human rights approach to immigration reform," he wrote in a blog post. "It seems that compassion and human rights have consistently come in a distant third to the paradigm of 'enforcement first, economic justification/exploitation followed by our neighbors are here to stay.'"

Family-unity prayer vigils

United Methodists in 32 states and the District of Columbia have been holding the prayer vigils, said Bill Mefford, director of civil and human rights at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

"United Methodists see firsthand the impact of the brokenness of our immigration system on immigrant families," Mefford said. "Thus, we are determined to see reform passed that protects the family immigration system and reunites all families that are separated."

United Methodists are mobilized like never before, according to Mefford, who said these prayer vigils are just the first step.

"We are gearing up for neighbor-to-neighbor visits where United Methodist leaders will be meeting with the elected members of Congress in their states and districts and sharing with them the need for reform," he said. "We have seen the brokenness, but we have hope that finally Congress can do what is right and pass legislation that provides a pathway to full citizenship clear of any enforcement contingencies and reunites all families who have experienced the pain of separation."

Other participants in the White House meeting included:

  • Leith Anderson, National Association of Evangelicals
  • Stephan Bauman, President and CEO, World Relief
  • The Rev. Luis Corts, President, Esperanza
  • Barrett Duke, Southern Baptist Convention
  • Bishop Orlando Findlayter, Senior Pastor, New Hope Christian Fellowship
  • Archbishop Jos Horacio Gomez, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
  • Mark Hetfield, President and CEO, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
  • The Rev. Kathryn Lohre, National Council of Churches
  • Imam Mohamed Magid, President, Islamic Society of North America
  • The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
  • The Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
  • Dieter Uchtdorf, Second Counselor, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
  • Jim Wallis, President and CEO, Sojourners

*Gilbert is a multimedia reporter for the young adult content team at United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].

 

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
General Church
The Kenya Prison Service band leads procession at the start of the Africa Methodist Council’s heads of Methodist conferences summit on May 14 in Nairobi, Kenya. Wesleyan episcopal leaders had the opportunity to discuss regionalization of The United Methodist Church and its impact on all Methodist denominations as well as migration and other issues affecting the church. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Methodism emerges stronger in Africa

A United Methodist bishop and other church leaders met to chart a way forward for Methodism in Africa. Regionalization was a big topic of conversation.
Faith Stories
The Rev. Dr. Richard Huskey died one day after being ordained an elder in full connection in The United Methodist Church. He is pictured at left upon his seminary graduation in 1974. At center, Huskey attends a 1977 rally to support an ordinance that banned discrimination in employment and housing in St. Paul, Minn. He had selected the photo to represent his time in ministry. At right is Huskey in 2014. Photos are courtesy of Huskey; the 2014 photo is via the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network.

LGBTQ activist ordained on deathbed

In an emotional finish worthy of Hollywood, the Rev. Dr. Rick Huskey was ordained on his deathbed after waiting since the 1970s for The United Methodist Church to allow the ordination of openly gay people.
Immigration
A National Guardsman stands watch at a June 10 prayer vigil organized by the United Methodist-founded Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice in downtown Los Angeles. The participants placed in front of him a poster in Spanish calling for peace, love and equality and asking for support. United Methodists across the Los Angeles area are working to stand up for immigrant rights while trying to de-escalate a tense situation as the Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops and Marines to quell protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Photo courtesy of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice.

Working for immigrant rights and peace in LA

United Methodists in the Los Angeles area are advocating for immigrants while trying to de-escalate a tense situation after President Trump’s deployment of troops to quell anti-ICE protests.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved