1981-11 A Resolution on International Concerns

81-11 RESOLUTION ON INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS

Background

Since 1977, the Lutheran Student Movement – USA has graciously invited international students to its annual assemblies. These students have benefited immensely from these invitations and they look forward to LSM’s increased cooperation. Hence, as participants the international students at the 1981 annual assembly have deemed it necessary to sensitize LSM-USA to some of the problems that are repeatedly encountered by students traveling to the United States. For example, family members of international students in this country and sometimes the students themselves, have been harassed and/or illegally deported by immigration officials who, in some instances, so not contact the appropriate embassy concerned.

In addition to the above, the international students wish to emphatically re-echo the urgency of this assembly’s continued participation in international affairs. For example, in southern Africa and other parts of the world, thousands of people continue to be victims of suppression and deprivation that preclude them from their inalienable God-given rights. We as Christians find it necessary – indeed, actively impelling – to lend a supporting hand to our brothers and sisters every-where.

Finally, as international students continue to be grateful for their invitation to the assembly, they wish to suggest an additional way by which both they and LSM-USA can reap future benefits as a consequence of the presence of international students at current assemblies.

Therefore BE IT RESOLVED

1. that LSM-USA sits up a committee headed by the Secretary for International Concerns to investigate grievances brought before the committee concerning the undue harassment and illegal deportation of students and their family members. According to the findings of this committee, the SIC shall also ask the Lutheran World Federation and other bodies of the Lutheran churches to assist in bringing about the elimination of improper and illegal immigration practices directed at students and their family members.

2. The SIC reviews previous resolutions on Namibia in particular and southern Africa in general, and where possible, repeat actions taken on these resolutions. For example:

a. 76-12-1 (last Sunday in October to be “Namibia Day:);

b. 76-12-1 (1^st week of November a “Namibia Wee” to educate local groups on Namibia);

c. local campus ministry groups are urged to wrote local congresspersons and senators urging them to support Namibian Independence.

3. LSM-USA asks all international students invited to its assemblies to submit their permanent home addresses. These addresses shall be kept on file at the national office to enable LSM-USA to obtain information from these students after they return home. This method will not only increase LSM-USA’s accessibility to information from other countries, but will also enable LSM-USA to keep in contact with its former general assembly attendants where necessary.