Sacred Texts
Hebrew Bible – “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens. You shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Leviticus 19:33-34
Hebrew Bible – “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 23:9
Hebrew Bible – “No, this is the fast I desire: To unlock fetters of wickedness, And untie the cords of the yoke To let the oppressed go free; To break off every yoke. It is to share your bread with the hungry, And to take the wretched poor into your home; When you see the naked, to clothe them,…” – Isaiah 58:6-7
Hebrew Bible – “For your God יהוה is God supreme and Lord supreme, the great, the mighty, and the
awesome God, who shows no favor and takes no bribe, but upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and befriends the stranger, providing food and clothing.— You too must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” – Deuteronomy 10:17-19
Christian Bible – “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35 (NRSV)
Christian Bible – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
Quran – “As for those who had settled in the city and ˹embraced˺ the faith before ˹the arrival of˺ the emigrants, they love whoever immigrates to them, never having a desire in their hearts for whatever ˹of the gains˺ is given to the emigrants. They give ˹the
emigrants˺ preference over themselves even though they may be in need. And whoever is saved from the selfishness of their own souls, it is they who are ˹truly˺ successful.” – Al-Hashr 59:9
Baha’i – “The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship…So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The One true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words.” – Baha’u’llah
Statements from Faith Organizations
Representative statements on immigrant rights from faith organizations.
Catholic Church
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Disciples of Christ
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Jewish Rabbinical Assembly
Mennonite Church USA
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Catholic Church
As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered in November, 2025 for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States.
We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials. In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform.
Read the full statement here
On June 25, 2026 Pope Leo XIV wrote a letter of congratulations to the United States on the 250th anniversary of its founding.
Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contribution have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning. In every generation, those who have arrived seeking freedom, opportunity and a place to belong have helped to shape the nation’s character. To receive them with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person.
Read the full letter here.
Disciples of Christ
At General Assembly 2025 in Memphis Disciples passed GA-2570 “RESPONDING TO THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ATTACK ON IMMIGRANTS, MIGRANTS, AND REFUGEES.”
This emergency resolution denounces the United States federal government’s mass detention and deportation campaign, as well as the egregious human rights violations being committed against those who are being detained and deported. It also denounces the government’s disregard of the civil and human rights of immigrants, migrants, and refugees, as demonstrated through the current Administration’s attacks on humanitarian protection and due process, ongoing funding freezes, and the infringement on the religious rights of houses of worship to welcome and provide charity services to all people, regardless of their citizenship status. It calls on all settings of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, including General Ministries, Regions, and local congregations to provide additional support for Immigrant Welcoming and sanctuary congregations, and calls for prophetic action in solidarity with immigrants, migrants, and refugees in light of the current increase in anti-immigrant policies being implemented by the United States federal government.
Episcopal Church
On January 31, 2026, 154 bishops of the Episcopal Church signed a joint letter in response to the tragic killings of ICE protestors in Minneapolis.
This is a moment for action. We call on people of faith to stand by your values and act as your conscience demands.
We urge the immediate suspension of ICE and Border Patrol operations in Minnesota and in any community where enforcement has eroded public trust. Because the rule of law is weakened, not strengthened, when power is exercised without restraint.
We also call for transparent, independent investigations of the people killed—investigations centered on truth, not politics. Justice cannot wait, and accountability is essential to healing.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
On January 28, 2025 Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton issued a statement expressing grave concern about executive orders focused on immigration and expressing the church’s support for immigrants.
The Scriptures are clear. We are called to see anew the image of God in our immigrant neighbors. Following God’s call in Leviticus 19 that is echoed throughout Scripture, the time is now.
It is my sincere hope as bishop that various harmful actions will be reconsidered. It is my fervent prayer that we, as church together, will be bold in our witness and actions. ELCA churchwide ministries will continue to provide resources to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Jewish Rabbinical Assembly
On January 21, 2026 leaders of the Jewish Reform, Conservative/Masorti, and Reconstructionist Movements signed a joint statement condemning violent immigration enforcement in the United States.
Many Americans are deeply disturbed as they see their neighbors targeted for detention and deportation in their homes, at work, at their schools, and at their houses of worship. They are deeply concerned about numerous accounts of the use of intimidating and violent detention tactics, dangerous and unhealthy holding facilities, lack of appropriate warrants or due process, and wrongful apprehension of US citizens or individuals with proper visas based on appearance or language.
Immigrants are members of our congregations, our families, and people with whom we interact in our broader communities. American Jews cherish our own families’ immigration stories. We recall that, like many being expelled from America today, we or our ancestors came to this country to escape oppression and find opportunity. That is why so many Jewish congregations, rabbis, cantors, and lay leaders have engaged in a variety of legal actions to protect immigrants in our midst. We grieve an American promise that seems to be no more.
Mennonite Church USA
On July 11, 2025 delegates of the Mennonite Church USA gathered in Greensboro, North Carolina and approved an updated statement expressing the church’s commitment to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Millions of people are painfully caught in the web of the structures that comprise the United States’ broken immigration system. Long wait lists keep families separated for years and tempt people to circumvent the system; workplace raids create a culture of fear and harm entire communities; and lax oversight of guest worker programs leaves a system ripe for exploitation and worker abuse. Societal discord on the issue has risen and also polarized people within the Church.
As Mennonite Christians, we are moved by the healing and hope that God offers through Jesus Christ to join with sisters and brothers from other faith traditions in offering our faith-filled responses to this suffering and injustice. We claim our identity as citizens of God’s kingdom, and therefore, as “aliens” and “exiles” in the country in which we reside. We renounce the indifference to and mistreatment of asylum seekers, undocumented and documented immigrants that has occurred and continues to occur in our congregations, our communities and this country. We are committed to joining God’s reconciling mission (Isa. 58:6-9, 2 Cor. 5:16-19) and to live and act as sisters and brothers in Christ regardless of our legal status.
Muslim Public Affairs Council
The Muslim Public Affairs Council has expressed support for comprehensive immigration reform.
MPAC advocates for comprehensive immigration reform rooted in the American principles of justice, liberty, and equality. Our immigration policy should honor America’s rich history of welcoming immigrants and refugees, ensuring equal opportunities for economic success while protecting against discrimination based on national origin, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The General Assembly of PC(USA) has affirmed support for immigrant rights on numerous occasions dating back to a statement in 1947. The 217th General Assembly in 2006 adopted the “Call to Presbyterians to recommit to Work and Pray for a Just and Compassionate U.S. Immigration Policy.
Affirm that our denomination, mindful of the current realities and threats to our belief system, not sway from our solidarity with, and pledge of service to, all of our brothers and sisters regardless of their race, creed, color, nationality, or residency status.
Challenge each Presbyterian congregation and presbytery to embrace a comprehensive approach to “advocacy and welcome” for immigrants that includes, at the very minimum:
a. an opportunity for hard-working immigrants who are already contributing to this country to come out of the shadows, regularize their status upon satisfaction of reasonable criteria, and, over time, pursue an option to become lawful permanent residents and eventually United States citizens;
b. reforms in our family-based immigration system to significantly reduce waiting times for separated families who currently wait many years to be reunited;
c. the creation of legal avenues for workers and their families who wish to migrate to the U.S. to enter our country and work in a safe, legal, and orderly manner with their rights fully protected; and
d. border protection policies that are consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with respect, while allowing the authorities to carry out the critical task of identifying and preventing entry of terrorists and dangerous criminals, as well as pursuing the legitimate task of implementing American immigration policy.
Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has supported immigration advocacy for over 60 years. At the 2018 General Assembly delegates voted a resolution to demand immediate action to improve U.S. treatment of asylum seekers and migrant families to keep families together. Among other demands, the resolution advocated the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the implementation of a system that understands the causes the migration, provides a non-carceral solution while asylum seekers await a decision on their case, and has a fundamental commitment to keeping families together.”
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ (UCC) has a substantial body of General Synod resolutions on immigration, going back three decades. A foundational resolution was passed in by General Synod 29 in 2013 supporting compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of Christ urges the 113th Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform as outlined in this resolution that addresses (1) earned legalization with a path to citizenship; (2) updated future flow of immigrants for workers and unification of families; (3) enactment of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act as part of a comprehensive immigration reform; (4) protection of workers’ rights, including agricultural workers; (5) placement of humanitarian values at the center of enforcement policies; (6) protection of refugees and migrant survivors of violence; and (7) ensure that newly documented immigrants have the opportunity to enroll for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act; and (8) ending of Operation Streamline, stopping of the construction of the southern border fence, and limiting additional immigration border patrol agents on the southern border
United Methodist Church
A statement from the General Board of Church and Society calls for a bold witness to stand against U.S. immigration and mass deportation policies influenced by misinformation, hate, fear and harm – Civil and Human Rights statement, January 13, 2025
The General Board of Church and Society vehemently opposes the mass deportation plans put forth by President-elect Trump. These proposals are not only antithetical to the foundation values of our democracy but also starkly contradict the United Methodist Church’s Social Principles on immigration, and the Wesleyan theological tradition.
Grounded in fear, hate and falsehoods, U.S. immigration policy calling for mass deportation of millions of people, is not an act of justice but a failure to recognize the sacred worth of every individual. Church and Society’s statement opposing those unfair policies is deeply rooted in John Wesley’s teachings on social holiness and grace. Wesleyan theology upholds prevenient grace — the belief that God’s grace goes before us and extends to all people, regardless of nationality, legal status, or social standing. Policies that promote exclusion and violence against vulnerable communities deny this essential truth.