In light of recent anti-immigrant sentiment in Iowa, the Iowa Annual Conference United Women in Faith has issued a heartfelt call to embrace and support immigrants. The announcement, made by the organization’s leadership, follows the display of anti-immigrant signs at Latino-owned businesses in Hampton earlier this year.
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The Iowa United Women in Faith statement highlights immigrants’ essential roles in the U.S. economy and society. Immigrants often take on critical yet underappreciated jobs, including agriculture, manufacturing, and meatpacking. These positions are crucial for maintaining the country’s economic health and functionality.
The Iowa United Women in Faith also underscores that immigrants contribute significantly to the U.S. tax base and Social Security system. However, many undocumented workers are unable to benefit from these contributions through tax returns or Social Security benefits.
Immigrants have contributed to revitalizing various small towns across Iowa, such as Orange City, Storm Lake, Marshalltown, Denison, and Hampton. Their presence has been instrumental in bolstering the local economy and preserving the vibrancy of these communities.
The statement also addresses misconceptions about crime and drug trafficking. According to data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission and the Cato Institute, the majority of fentanyl trafficking offenders are American citizens, not asylum seekers. Additionally, research from the Brennan Center shows that immigrants, regardless of their citizenship status, are less likely to commit crimes compared to native-born Americans.
The Iowa Conference United Women in Faith’s leaders—Gladys Alvarez, President; Lynn Calvert, Vice President; and Bobby Jo Paige, Social Action Coordinator—call on Iowans to warmly welcome immigrants and recognize their invaluable contributions to the state and nation.
“The Charter for Racial Justice states that ‘our struggle for justice must be based on new attitudes, new understandings, and new relationships, and must be reflected in the laws, policies, structures, and practices of both church and state;’ so as United Women in Faith we must advocate for laws, policies, structures, and practices that are just for all of God’s children,” said Alvarez.
This appeal for inclusivity and appreciation comes at a critical time. It aims to counteract the negative rhetoric and foster a more supportive environment for immigrants in Iowa.
For more information about justice for immigrants, contact IMMJ at Home—Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (iowammj.org) for opportunities to donate or volunteer.
For more information about the National United Women in Faith podcast and educational events, go to Who We Are | United Women in Faith (uwfaith.org). You can also visit the Iowa Conference: United Women in Faith (iaumc.org) to see opportunities in Iowa.
Iowa Annual Conference website
The World Service Fund provides basic financial support to program-related general agencies, which are especially important to the common vision, mission, and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Through World Service funding, agencies support annual conferences and local congregations in living out God’s mission for the worldwide Church. General agencies also provide essential services and ministries beyond the scope of individual local congregations and annual conferences through services and ministries that are highly focused, flexible, and capable of rapid response.
