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Immigration Ministry – 8 Things Churches Should Do in 2025

Immigration Ministry – 8 Things Churches Should Do in 2025

Last updated on: January 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm by Leah D. Schade

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Immigration Ministry – 8 Things Churches Should Do in 2025 2025-01-28T14:00:03-04:00 Leah D. Schade

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Immigration ministry in 2025 has changed drastically since the inauguration. Here’s a list of 8 things churches should know and do.

Immigration ministry 2025

Draconian immigration orders

In just his first week of returning to the Oval Office, Donald Trump issued several executive orders aimed at creating draconian immigration and citizenship policies. These orders include ending birthright citizenship and declaring a state of emergency to authorize military deployment to the border. The orders also ended Biden’s previous executive order to reunify families who had been separated under the first Trump administration.

Shortly afterward, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers began raiding homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses to arrest and deport undocumented individuals. In a single day, nearly one thousand people were arrested, tearing parents from children, severing people from their families, and spreading fear and terror in neighborhoods.

“Sanctuary” policy trashed

One of the most disturbing orders rescinded the 2011 policy that “sensitive” places like schools, medical facilities, and churches are off-limits from ICE arrests. As a result, ICE agents are now arresting undocumented people at houses of worship.

While several Quaker meetinghouses immediately joined a lawsuit to stop these arrests at houses of worship, many clergy and congregations are scrambling to figure out how to respond.

How can houses of worship protect undocumented persons to whom they minister through their schools, feeding programs, shelters, Scripture studies, and worship services?

Gathering experts on immigration ministry

On Jan. 21, the Clergy Emergency League and Wisconsin Council of Churches co-hosted a panel discussion with expertise in immigration law, refugee ministries, and pastoring immigrant communities.

- Lee Curtis is Canon to the Ordinary of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, which includes 40% of the US/Mexico border. He has worked extensively with immigrant communities and is well-versed on Project 2025 policies on immigration.
- Jackie Lozano is the Immigrants’ Rights Campaign Coordinator for ACLU-WV
- Andy Hall is an immigration lawyer and ministry candidate in the Presbyterian Church – USA.
- Nelson Rabell-Gonzalez is pastor of Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria Peregrina in Stockton, California, with parishioners who are both documented and undocumented immigrants, many of whom work in agriculture in the Central Valley.
- Arthur Zetho is the pastor at Milwaukee African United Methodist Church in Milwaukee, WI, and is also a case worker working on refugee resettlement for Catholic Charities.

Discussion on immigration ministry in 2025

The panel discussion covered a broad range of topics, including an overview of the new legal landscape for immigration, the impact on congregations, and options for ministering with immigrant communities.

Panelists emphasized the need for churches to exercise their moral authority, train staff on how to deal with ICE agents, maintain vigilance, and build networks with local organizations.

The discussion also covered the importance of telling stories of real people impacted by deportations, educating communities, and advocating for immigrant rights.

At the same time, our speakers acknowledged the potential risks and costs of churches and clergy being allies to immigrants, refugees, and people without proper documentation.

Video of panel discussion on immigration and ministry

You can watch the full video here. We recommend that clergy and congregation leaders watch it together and discuss the implications for their own ministries.

Better yet, gather other clergy and congregation leaders in your community who are committed to immigration ministry for a watch party. Strategize together how you can support each other as you create a network of ministry to protect vulnerable undocumented individuals, families, and communities.

To assist you in your discussion, here is a summary of the important points from our panel discussion about immigration and ministry in 2025.

What Churches Should Know and Do for Immigration Ministry in 2025

1 – Educate about immigration rights

This is not the time to panic or withdraw from immigration ministry. Instead, clergy and congregations must be methodical in response to the blitz of new executive orders.

Organize a forum or presentation for the congregation to educate immigrants on their rights and the rights of undocumented persons.

The ACLU has a helpful document on immigration rights which you can access here: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights.

Also, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) offers templates for Red Cards that people can carry with them which lists their rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home, school, medical facility, or house of worship.

You can also find lots of resources for immigration ministry from the Episcopal Migration Caucus here, including an Immigrant Safety Checklist and an action toolkit.

2 – Train church staff and volunteers for immigration ministry

Reach out to the local ACLU office to inquire about training for church staff on responding to ICE agents. Also, connect with other local congregations that have experience providing sanctuary to learn from their practices and challenges.

Here is a document on Protocols for Staff and Volunteers Engaged in Ministry and Mission developed by Rev. Minna Bothwell serving at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa (ELCA). As the document explains, “Training your team on how to respond to immigration-related inquiries, especially given new laws permitting ICE and Homeland Security access to churches, requires intentional preparation and clear communication.”

The document contains guidance for how to verify the validity of a judicial warrant, establish entry protocols, train staff and volunteers, and protect privacy and boundaries.

Also, be prepared to call on people to gather around the person being questioned, detained, or arrested. Witnesses are essential, so have everyone video the encounter and share on social media so that the public knows what ICE is doing.

3 – Post signage at strategic places in your house of worship

Place private property notices on all exterior doors, with the exception of the main exterior sanctuary doors (see link below).
The narthex should be designated as the only “public space.” The sanctuary, offices, classrooms, fellowship hall, and other spaces should be marked with privacy notices.
Establish “authorized personnel only” areas, with access limited to the pastor and two other designated individuals.
Communicate with absolute clarity and transparency to those who rely on the church’s resources and missions what they can expect, what their rights are, and what the church has committed to do to protect their safety.

Signs for posting in churches with immigration ministry. Courtesy of Rev. Minna Bothwell, Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa.

Here is a Google link to the images for these signs, which includes tabs for downloading in English or Spanish.

4 – Draw on denominational and ecumenical immigration ministry resources

Most denominations have offices dedicated to refugee and immigration ministries. For example, ELCA Lutherans have AMMPARO. The Episcopal Church has Episcopal Migration Ministries. Methodists have Global Ministries Migration and Refugees. Members of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations can visit this website. And Presbyterians have the Global Engagement office.

These denominational offices and ministries have been working on immigration and refugee issues for decades. They can provide updated information, resources, and local connections for your immigration ministry.

Also, the Wisconsin Council of Churches has developed a study action guide, Becoming Welcoming Communities: Immigration Reform. The guide focuses on education, advocacy, and building understanding between older and newer immigrant communities. It includes videos, interviews, and worship resources, and is designed to help congregations respond to immigrants and immigration in light of biblical faith. The curriculum is comprised of lesson plans for six 45-minute study sessions.

5 – Build relationships with local law enforcement and community organizations

Not all local police precincts will aid ICE in their raids. But some will be fully supportive. Now is the time to reach out to your local precinct to find out their stance. This way, you will know if you can call on them in case of an emergency involving immigrants and people without documentation.

It’s also important to network with other local organizations and government officials to stay informed and prepared. Your local ACLU chapter, refugee resettlement organizations, schools, hospitals, and ministerium can all be part of your immigration ministry resource network.

6 – Provide tangible support

Explore ways to provide financial, emotional, and practical support for immigrant families in the community who may be impacted by deportation.

This Step-By-Step Family Preparedness Plan developed by ILRC can help congregations prepare for immigration emergencies that arise. This includes making a child care plan, locating trusted legal service providers, what to know and do if approached by ICE officers, and what to keep in a file of important documents.

Houses of worship can also plan services of public lament. Churches can join with mosques, synagogues, and other worshiping congregations to bear public and prophetic witness to the injustices of US immigration policy. Design and host community services of lament and solidarity with vulnerable people.

7 – Remind people that immigration is a key theme in the Bible.

Scripture is chock full of stories about people who migrated from one place to another. Sometimes the move is in response to divine guidance (Abram and Sarai). Other times it’s due to hardship (Jacob’s family). And sometimes people must flee violence (Jesus’s family).

Here are some stories of migration in the Bible:

Abram and Sarai left their homeland in response to God’s call (Genesis 12:1-9).
Hagar fled from mistreatment by Sarah and later was sent into the wilderness by Abraham (Genesis 16:6-14; 21:14-21).
Jacob’s family migrated to Egypt during a famine (Genesis 46).
The Israelites, led by Moses, traveled through the wilderness after escaping slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1-15).
Naomi and her family moved to Moab due to a famine. Her daughter-in-law Ruth later leaves her homeland to travel with Naomi back to Bethlehem (Book of Ruth).
David fled persecution from Saul who attempts to kill him (1 Samuel 19-27).
Israelites were forced into exile in Babylon (2 Kings 24-25; Jeremiah 29). Later they returned to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra and Nehemiah).
Mary and Joseph took their child Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s genocide (Matthew 2:13-15).
Paul migrated throughout the Roman Empire to spread the gospel (Acts 13-28).

Whether in biblical times or today, immigrants rely on God’s faithfulness. This faith equips them with resilience and perseverance so that they can survive in their journeys and sojourns far from home.

8 – Prepare for backlash

When considering the long-term commitment of offering immigration ministry, understand that there are risks involved, such as third-party doxing and possible government harassment. Potential attacks could include the following:

Surveillance: Government or corporate monitoring of communications and activities.
Doxxing: Public release of personal information to intimidate or harass.
Phishing and Social Engineering: Attempts to extract sensitive information through deception.
Cyberattacks: Hacking, data breaches, or website defacement.
Disinformation Campaigns: Spreading false information to discredit or disrupt.

How to respond to backlash

The “wolves” are on the prowl. So, it is important to be “wise as serpents and gentle as doves” with your immigration ministry (Matthew 10:16).

Assess risk. Conduct a risk assessment and consider consequences for the congregation’s and minister’s immigration ministry.
Reconsider livestreaming worship services. If you livestream your worship service and there are undocumented people present, direct the camera away from them. Or consider switching to Zoom which has more privacy features.
Connect with an attorney. Consult with a lawyer who can advise the pastor and congregation about their risks and rights.
Protect online spaces. Remove pictures and names of immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons from all church communications, including website, newsletters, and social media.
Establish protocols. Create an incident response plan for attacks by ICE or third parties. Also, define roles and responsibilities for managing any issues that may arise with immigration ministry.

What if my congregation opposes supporting immigration ministry?

As a person of faith, whether clergy or laity, you have the right to practice your faith by supporting immigration ministry. But you may need to organize outside the congregation to avoid internal conflicts.

At the same time, you can promote messages that emphasize the positive impact of immigrants on communities. Share stories about real people who contribute to the common good of our society through their work, entrepreneurship, caring for their families, paying taxes, and being good neighbors.

Faith and advocacy go hand in hand

Now is the time to dig deep into our faith and stay vigilant in our advocacy efforts. Monitor legislative sessions about anti-sanctuary laws and stay informed about how they will affect your congregation’s immigration ministry.

Above all, remember that God calls the church and Christians to show love, compassion, and empathy for our neighbors, regardless of their country of origin or citizenship status. We are all kin; we are all God’s children. Together, we can live out our values as people of faith that reflect the God of hospitality whom we serve.

Is your congregation engaging in immigration ministry? Share your tips, suggestions, and experiences in the comments!

Special thanks to Rev. Robert Franek, Rev. Minna Bothwell, and Rev. Richard Patterson for their contributions to this article.

[Are you a preacher in the U.S.? You can help me with my research studying ministry, preaching, and social issues by filling out this survey.]

[Thinking of addressing social issues like immigration in a sermon? Preachers can take this 5-minute assessment of their strengths and vulnerabilities here.]

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Are you a clergy person looking to connect with other Christian leaders in the work of resisting and disrupting Christian nationalism? Check out the Clergy Emergency League, a group I co-founded in 2020.

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