New York, February 19, 2010 -- Responding to a "divine mandate" and as a "patriotic act," the chief executives of the National Council of Churches and Church World Service are pressing "comprehensive immigration reform" in the United States.

In a letter to the leaders of the 36 communions that compose their organizations, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary, and the Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS Executive Director and CEO, said the urgent need for immigration reform must be a shared Christian concern in the season of Lent.

"As in years past, we are at a significant moment of convergence where our faith commitments and values and the needs of millions of disenfranchised people converge," Kinnamon and McCullough said in a February 16 letter to heads of communion.

"We join together in stating our commitment to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that is humane, effective and that upholds the human and civil rights of immigrants."

The letter expressed concern for the 12 million immigrants living in the U.S. who "find themselves without the hope of becoming citizens, reuniting with family members or enjoying the legal protections that most of us take for granted. Yet many of these people have lived and worked in our communities for years, becoming our friends and family, and often performing the daily tasks that enhance our quality of life."

The two executives said in their letter that they joined with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Association of Evangelicals, National Hispanic Leadership Conference "and millions of other people of faith" in calling for immigration reform that "will improve and protect the lives of millions of people."

They called on heads of communion to consider the following actions:

1.) Host a prayer vigil or community event to pray for immigrants and call for immigration reform, inviting your members of Congress and local media to attend

2.) Dedicate a sermon, bible study theme, or series of Sunday School lessons to Christ’s teachings to welcome the stranger, love our neighbors, and work for justice

3.) Call, write, and meet with your members of Congress – individually and as a community group - to urge them to support immigration reform

4.) Organize members of your community, or send representatives, to Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) March 19^th – 22^ndand a rally for immigration reform on March 21.

5) Get connected to and utilize resources related to your denomination’s efforts on immigration reform.

The full text of the letter follows. For a printable version, see www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/HOCimmigration100216.pdf.