Immigration is a Hunger Issue
Why Is Immigration a Hunger Issue?
People who live and work here without documentation are among the most vulnerable people in our country. They are more likely to live in poverty and to struggle to put food on the table. The national poverty rate is 14.8 percent, while immigrants as a group have a poverty rate of 30 percent.
Any approach to reforming our immigration system must tackle undocumented immigration on both sides of the border. This is an international issue at its core. And while it may be difficult, we must uncover and address the root causes that are creating this need to escape home countries and enter the United States.
As a Christian-based organization, we strongly believe in moving our faith into action. Matthew 25:35 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me….” Part of loving our brothers and sisters requires advocating for their well-being and dignity.
We approach immigration policy through the lens of hunger and poverty, and as a path to economic growth. Our approach is informed by our faith as a Christian organization committed to ending hunger and poverty, both domestically and abroad.
Immigration policy can help reduce hunger and poverty in our country as well as home countries abroad. Here are six guiding principles for immigration policy.
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me"
Matthew 25:35
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Hunger and Poverty in the African-American Community
While hunger declined from 2017 for the general U.S. population, African Americans experienced a one percent increase, an increase of 153,000 African American households.
Mass Incarceration: A Major Cause of Hunger
Mass incarceration has far-reaching effects in the United States. It poses a significant barrier to ending U.S. hunger and poverty by 2030—a goal the United States adopted in 2015. But the connection is not always obvious.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit
A set of how-to sheets for carrying out advocacy and fact sheets on the current issues Bread for the World is working on.
For new and current Bread grassroots hunger activists.
Ideal as a starter toolkit for new Bread activists or as a set of updates for current activists.
...
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017
Unnecessarily long prison sentences, combined with the lack of rehabilitative programs for people in prison, exacerbate hunger, poverty, and existing inequalities.
Overly harsh mandatory minimum prison sentences have contributed to the rapid increase of our country’s prison population. The...