Many in our churches are prayerfully working to discern how to navigate the situation regarding immigration under the current presidential administration. We recognize that many are concerned about the potential entry into churches by immigration authorities.
Ephesians 2:12-19 tells us that while we were all once foreigners and strangers, we are now members of the household of God, brought near to one another through the blood of Christ. It is our call as Christians to be merciful and to love newcomers in our land.
Our Social Principles outline our call to “recognize, embrace and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God.” Our Social Principles also state that our churches should be in ministry to immigrant families.
While we continue to serve these communities, we face the realities of a divided political climate and the real fear many in our communities are experiencing. Many of our local pastors and churches have reached out asking for guidance about how the multitude of executive orders will impact their abilities to minister and how to address the potential involvement of federal and state authorities in church life.
This situation is evolving, and because each context is different, any guidance given would be tentative. General suggestions cannot substitute for specific legal guidance if federal enforcement agencies engage your church.
If federal or state law enforcement were to engage your church regarding immigration, your organization is entitled to request a copy of any warrants to be executed upon church property. There are two types of warrants: administrative and judicial, and if you are faced with a warrant, you will want to be in conversation with an attorney who can tell you what each means.
Administrative warrants are generally for the detention of a specific individual and have nothing to do with the right to enter a private area of a church, whereas a judicial warrant may command that you allow entry, not only into public spaces but into the private spaces of your facility. (Officials likely have the right to enter church spaces open to the public even without a warrant).
Obstruction of the business of federal officials is a criminal offense, so it is imperative to have legal resources available for consultation if your church faces such an official operation. If authorities contact your church in relation to an immigration matter, we ask that you contact your district superintendent as soon as possible so that you can be referred for legal assistance.
The UMC Committee on Relief has long offered legal support to immigrant populations through the Immigration Law and Justice Network (formerly known as JFON). Feel free to provide congregants and community members with information on this important ministry, which can be found at https://iljnetwork.org.
A network of advocates has also launched https://readytostay.org, which offers a number of resources for immigrants and those who advocate for them and is being updated regularly.
The conference’s commitment to you is to love our neighbors steadfastly and update you as the newest and best information is available.