Members of the public who contact the Church Public Affairs Department asking for the Church’s position on immigration have been given the following response:
The Church has spoken a number of times about the issue of immigration. Specifically, it has spoken in support of the Utah Compact and has described the package of bills passed by the Utah Legislature, taken together, as “a responsible approach” to the difficult question of immigration reform.
The Church’s position is based on three basic principles:
- The commandment to “love thy neighbor.”
- The importance of keeping families intact.
- The federal government’s obligation to secure its borders.
The Church appreciates the package of bills that the legislature had passed, including House Bill 116. The Church feels that this package was a responsible attempt to address the principles outlined above.
The February 28 Deseret News editorial, "A Model For The Nation" also accurately reflects the position of the Church regarding immigration reform, including measures that will allow those who are now here illegally to work legally, provide for their families and become better contributing members of our community—but without establishing a path to citizenship or granting amnesty.
The Church may speak further on this subject if it is necessary to refute any misunderstandings or correct distortions of its views that have found their way into the discussion taking place on this important topic.
*The Church issued its most recent statement on immigration on June 10, 2011.