Refugees and Migration

The United Church is concerned for the millions of forcibly uprooted people in the world-our brothers and sisters-alternately called refugees, internally displaced people, or migrants. One in 50 people in God's world is forcibly uprooted.

Human Trafficking: Human trafficking in Canada has been identified as a common concern among several of the Canadian Council of Churches’ member churches, including the United Church.
Immigration Regulations: The United Church of Canada employs recognized ministers and church workers from abroad. The following immigration regulations apply to clergy who are foreign nationals.
Migrants: Among the world's uprooted people are migrants who are forced to leave their country to survive or to ensure their family's survival...
Refugee Claimants: A refugee claimant is someone who arrives in Canada and claims refugee status, as opposed to being sponsored from abroad...
Sanctuary for Refugees: The public act of sanctuary-giving a refugee shelter in a church building-must be weighed most carefully...
Sponsor a Refugee: As part of the United Church's celebration of 25 years of private refugee sponsorship, we seek congregations to sponsor some 20 to 25 refugee cases.
Who Can Be Sponsored: Canada is an immigrant or resettlement country. The United Church has always worked with and for refugees and immigrants.

Human Rights

External Pages