What is Migration With Dignity?

Migration With Dignity is a paradigm-changing framework for discussing immigration.

The Migration With Dignity principles were developed in the environmental justice movement, but they have deep resonances with scripture and Christian theology. The Episcopal Church adopted Migration With Dignity as a framework to guide its migration ministries at the 81st General Convention in 2024.

The six Migration With Dignity principles are: 

● A universal right of movement, including freedom to leave and return to one’s country of origin, freedom of movement within one’s country of origin or country of settlement. 

● The right to be secure: from sexual violence including rape and sexual exploitation, human trafficking, slavery, forced labor and arbitrary and abusive detention. 

● The right of equality, to include: 1) equal treatment with no discrimination under the law based on color, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political affiliation, national origin; and 2) equal opportunity for upward mobility. 

● Rights to a basic quality of life, including employment, housing, and food rights. 

● The right to access services such as health care, education and legal representation. 

● Civil and political rights guaranteeing the right to identity, to use of one’s language, and to freedom of speech and religion. 

Resources: