VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/24/14)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) applauds President Obama’s recent executive action on immigration that will allow families to stay together, while removing fear of deportation and detention. In addition, the action will expand eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and allow parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to request deferred action and employment authorization via a Deferred Action for Parents Accountability program. As many as 5 million people are expected to be impacted.

“I thank God for the millions of people who will be impacted by this action, but I am also aware of so many who will fall outside of its purview,” says the Rev. Aundreia Alexander, ABHMS national coordinator of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services. “The president’s action is only a temporary fix. We still need to challenge Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill that will have a more holistic impact on the broken system.”

For more information about the executive action, join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for a special webinar at noon EST tomorrow. The call-in number is 805-399-1000. The code is 104402. Register to receive a link to the visual portion of the webinar and follow-up materials.

ABHMS is a member of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.