Pastoral Letter from the Bishop to Clergy & Wardens
Greetings:
As Episcopalians, our Baptismal Covenant calls us to seek Christ in all people, strive for justice, and respect human dignity. This sacred commitment compels us to stand with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, recognizing Christ in their struggles and hopes. In these days, we each must bring our faith and conscience to bear in the heart-wrenching realities that immigrants and refugees are facing.
Proclaiming the Good News means advocating for institutions and systems that honor every person’s worth, regardless of birthplace. Standing with immigrants is an act of Gospel-driven justice—breaking barriers, extending hospitality, and embodying God’s boundless love, remaining faithful to the gospel: “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)
We recognize that immigration justice is a high priority among our church leaders. I want to assure you that in this rapidly changing landscape, my staff and I, along with dedicated leaders from across our diocese, are working daily to address our shared responsibilities as the body of Christ.
We know that churches want to support our immigrant neighbors in many ways. However, at this moment, we must also take care to comply with legal requirements, even when we find them challenging and perhaps unjust, to ensure that we can continue providing assistance within the boundaries of the law. I ask that you pray before taking any action and, in the words of Jesus, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)I have consulted at length with the Chancellor and with immigration attorneys as we attempt to understand what we can do to help our siblings in Christ who are in need.
Understanding Legal Responsibilities
In the context of immigration enforcement, harboring and interference are legal terms that define actions that may aid undocumented immigrants or obstruct federal immigration authorities. “Harboring"* refers to knowingly concealing, shielding, or assisting undocumented immigrants to remain in the U.S. unlawfully. “Interference” involves obstructing or impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during enforcement actions. Churches must understand these laws because our mission of hospitality and compassion—such as providing shelter, food, and advocacy—may come into conflict with legal boundaries, requiring careful navigation to uphold both faith-based commitments and legal responsibilities.
I want to be clear: ICE should present a judicial warrant (a warrant signed by a judge) to enter the private, non-public areas, of a church. An administrative warrant signed by an ICE official is not a judicial warrant and does not grant ICE officers the authority to enter private spaces, including the private spaces in churches, without consent. No warrant is needed for ICE to enter the public areas of a church. Staff and volunteers should be trained regarding the type of warrant and consent to enter the private areas of a church. I commend to you the resource, Welcoming, Protecting, and Preparing: A Congregational Guide, by the Rev. Minna Bothwell, SEIA Synod, ELCA that includes: Protocols for Staff and Volunteers Engaged in Mission and Ministry, a Step-by-Step Guide to Verify the Validity of a Judicial Warrant, & Policies to Define Church Private and Public Spaces.
You should also be aware that even if an ICE officer enters with a judicial warrant for a specific person or persons, the law permits that ICE officer to detain and arrest other persons who are present (but not the subject of the warrant) if the officer has probable cause to believe that person is subject to removal from the country. That means that sheltering several migrants or refugees may increase their exposure to being arrested and detained.
It is also imperative that individuals understand the personal risks involved in any actions that could be defined as harboring or interference. Engaging in such actions could result in arrest, detainment, and significant legal consequences.
Any church that engages in feeding, sheltering, transporting, or financially supporting immigrants should first retain an immigration attorney to guide its leadership through the legal complexities and risks. The diocese is unable to financially support any legal counsel or lawsuits that may arise from these actions.
We are working strategically with all levels of our local governments throughout Colorado, Episcopal Migration Ministries, the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, and other organizations. I recognize that it is frustrating to not have concrete answers or directives. Things are changing quickly, sometimes hour by hour.
Ways Churches Can Support Immigrants Within the Law
Churches can provide meaningful support while remaining within legal boundaries:
Providing Humanitarian Aid – Offering food, clothing, medical assistance, and other basic necessities without concealing or shielding individuals from law enforcement.Offering Legal and Know-Your-Rights Education – Hosting workshops or partnering with legal experts to educate immigrants about their rights and available legal pathways, including preparing for the care of minor children in the case of parents being detained, i.e. powers of attorney and identification of which family members or close friends are available to respond.Advocating for Just Policies – Engaging in lawful advocacy efforts to support fair immigration laws through petitions, public statements, and community engagement.Creating Safe Spaces – Providing emotional and spiritual support, counseling, and welcoming spaces without actively obstructing law enforcement.Accompanying Immigrants to Court or ICE Check-Ins – Offering moral and logistical support by accompanying individuals to legal proceedings or check-ins.Helping with Community Integration – Assisting with language classes, job training, and other resources to help immigrants adjust and thrive.Partnering with Trusted Organizations – Working with nonprofits and legal aid groups to connect immigrants with professional assistance.
We reaffirm our baptismal promises by working to ensure that every person is treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness. In this commitment, we walk alongside our immigrant siblings as co-creators of a just and inclusive society, trusting in the grace of God to guide us in this holy work.
I want to highlight some additional relevant resources for you:
Welcoming, Protecting, and Preparing: A Congregational Guide, by the Rev. Minna Bothwell, SEIA Synod, ELCA that includes: Protocols for Staff and Volunteers Engaged in Mission and Ministry, a Step-by-Step Guide to Verify the Validity of a Judicial Warrant, & Policies to Define Church Private and Public Spaces.
A webinar with the Clergy Emergency League and the Wisconsin Council of Churches
Christian Leaders in Colorado Voice Strong Opposition to Trump Immigration Policies, Urge Reform
For questions, please contact any one of my canons, who will work to find answers or connect you with the right resources to support you:
The Rev. Canon Vanessa Stickler-Glass
Blessings,
Bishop Kym Lucas
* The Immigration & Nationality Act 8 U.S.C. 1324 (a)(1)(A) pertains to criminal offenses for smuggling, transporting, harboring, & encouraging. Smuggling & transporting pertain to criminal networks for money. Harboring is closer to a possible violation, where “actions must have facilitated the undocumented immigrant’s ability to remain here unlawfully.” Example: Mr. Lopez was convicted for providing six homes, providing jobs, & arranging sham marriages for legal papers.
Encouraging can be a criminal offense to induce the person “to come to, enter, or reside in the U.S. while knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the person’s entry or presence is or will be in violation of the law.” Telling an undocumented person that you don’t want them to leave, or giving them a reason to stay shouldn’t rise to “purposeful solicitation or facilitation of specific acts that violate federal law” in the view of one of our immigration consultants.
Episcopal Church joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches
The Episcopal Church is among dozens of multifaith plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. government’s recent rescission of guidelines that limited immigration enforcement in sensitive areas such as churches, schools, and hospitals. The suit was filed this morning in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.
Faith groups joining this lawsuit claim that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in and around places of worship without a judicial warrant burden religious exercise in violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The complaint, filed against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, argues that these enforcement actions interfere with the plaintiffs’ ability to fulfill the religious mandate to welcome and serve immigrants.
Referring to this lawsuit, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said that in God’s kingdom, immigrants and refugees are not at the edges, fearful and alone, but are the very center of God’s story.
“We believe their struggles reveal the heart of God, and we cannot worship freely if some among us live in fear,” he said. “We are seeking the ability to fully gather and follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
As alleged in the complaint, there are Episcopal congregations across the United States that have already seen decreased attendance at worship services and social service ministries due to fears of ICE actions. In some places, even congregants with documented legal status are choosing to stay home for fear they may be mistakenly arrested based on their appearance.
“Welcoming the stranger is not a political act—it’s a sacred obligation. When immigrants walk through our church doors, they’re not entering as outsiders; they are stepping into the heart of our faith, where their dignity and stories are embraced as reflections of God’s love,” said Julia Ayala Harris, president of The Episcopal Church’s House of Deputies. “This lawsuit is about protecting our ability to live out the Gospel without fear or interference.”
Co-plaintiffs in the suit include representatives from many Christian and Jewish traditions, including Baptists, Brethren, Disciples, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Mennonites, Methodists, Quakers, Presbyterians, Unitarian Universalists, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Kehilla Community Synagogue, Reconstructing Judaism, and the Union for Reform Judaism.
“We are told by the rulers of our day that the rich shall be first; that compassion is a weakness; that we should regard the migrants and strangers among us with fear and contempt,” Bishop Rowe said. “But I ask us all to see that our true citizenship is in God’s kingdom, where the meek shall inherit the earth, the merciful shall receive mercy, and the captives shall go free.”
Letter from Episcopal Church leaders on Trump administration immigration executive orders
Dear People of God in the Episcopal Church:
Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States. We pray that he and all of our elected officials will, in the words of the Book of Common Prayer, have the wisdom and strength to know and to do God’s will and be filled with the love of truth and righteousness.
Even as we gave thanks for a peaceful transfer of power, we learned from news reports that the new presidential administration has issued a series of executive orders that are a harbinger of President Trump’s pledge to deport undocumented immigrants at a historic scale, restrict asylum, and direct other immigration actions. We read this news with concern and urge our new president and congressional leaders to exercise mercy and compassion, especially toward law-abiding, long-term members of our congregations and communities; parents and children who are under threat of separation in the name of immigration enforcement; and women and children who are vulnerable to abuse in detention and who fear reporting abuse to law enforcement.
As Christians, our faith is shaped by the biblical story of people whom God led into foreign countries to escape oppression. Exodus tells us the story of the ancient Israelites escaping slavery in the land of Egypt and wandering in the wilderness without a home. In Leviticus 19:33-34, God commands that we remember this sojourn as part of our own story of faith: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.”
Now, as Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:12-19, we are no longer aliens. Christ Jesus has made us citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. As we read in 1 Peter 2:9-12, we have received God’s mercy, and we must demonstrate this sacrificial love in our lives and deeds. Because our true citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven, we are called to transcend the earthly distinctions made among us by the leaders of this world. We must proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is promised to the persecuted and answer Christ’s call to welcome the stranger among us.
This vision of God’s kingdom, this new reality, is the one to which we Christians are pledged in our baptism above any political preference or policy, and to which our church must bear witness through word and deed. This sacred call shapes both our churchwide commitment to stand with migrants and the ministries of congregations across our church who serve vulnerable immigrants and refugees in their communities.
Since the late 19th century, The Episcopal Church has followed this call by welcoming immigrants and refugees to the United States, and today, Episcopal Migration Ministries is one of 10 resettlement agencies through which refugees enter this country. Our Office of Government Relations is a persistent advocate for immigration resolutions adopted by General Convention, and works with ecumenical and interfaith partners to urge compassionate and humane policies that at the same time recognize the need to protect borders and address security threats. Thousands of Episcopalians participate in this ministry of advocacy through the Episcopal Public Policy Network.
As more immigration enforcement policy changes are announced, our churchwide ministries will continue to provide practical pathways to protect the most vulnerable among us. We invite you to join us by:
Advocating with our members of Congress by using this action alert to take action to protect immigrants, known as Dreamers, who were brought to the United States as children and have lived here most of their lives. The long-standing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that offers a respite from the fear of deportation is at risk, and Congress must take action.
Standing against mass deportation using this action alert, which would have severe consequences for our communities and economy.
Supporting orderly border management that is proportional and humane and respects the right of asylum.
Supporting programs that protect vulnerable groups of people, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), humanitarian parole, and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Speaking out against anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions, including race-based targeting, vigilantism and violence, family division, and detention and deportation without charges or convictions. As Christians, we must stand against these expressions of hatred and fear with a clear witness to our sacred promise to respect the dignity of every human being.
Encouraging our congregations to use the resources of the Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy Network as we embody the Gospel through direct witness on behalf of immigrants in our communities.
Across our church, migrants are members of the Body of Christ and part of our congregations and communities, and our common life is richer thanks to their contributions. To our siblings who are at risk of deportation or of being separated from those you love, know that your story is our story, and your dignity is inseparable from our own. We stand with you, and we will face these challenges together.
As one church united in the Body of Christ, please pray especially for families who live under the shadow of separation, and for all who seek asylum for protection from persecution. Pray, too, for the people of our congregations and dioceses who work tirelessly to serve immigrants and refugees, and who now face new and heartbreaking challenges to their ministry.
Finally, as faithful Episcopalians have done for decades, please join us in giving generously to Episcopal Migration Ministries and its ministry with refugees seeking a new life in the United States.
In Christ's Peace,
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe
Presiding Bishop
Julia Ayala Harris
President of the House of Deputies
Querido Pueblo de Dios en la Iglesia Episcopal:
En el día de ayer, Donald Trump prestó juramento como presidente de Estados Unidos. Oramos para que él y todos nuestros funcionarios electos, según las palabras del Libro de Oración Común, tengan la sabiduría y la fortaleza para conocer y hacer la voluntad de Dios y estén llenos de amor a la verdad y a la justicia.
Mientras dábamos gracias por una transición pacífica del poder, nos enteramos por las noticias de que la nueva administración presidencial ha emitido una serie de decretos ejecutivos que son un indicio de la promesa del presidente Trump de deportar a inmigrantes indocumentados a una escala histórica, de restringir el [derecho de] asilo y de instruir otras medidas migratorias. Leemos esta noticia con preocupación e instamos a nuestro nuevo presidente y a los líderes del Congreso a ejercer la misericordia y la compasión, especialmente hacia los miembros de nuestras congregaciones y comunidades que viven al amparo de la ley desde hace mucho tiempo: padres e hijos que están amenazados de separación en nombre de las normativas migratorias, y mujeres y niños que son vulnerables a ser víctimas de abusos durante la detención y que temen denunciar los abusos a las autoridades.
Como cristianos, nuestra fe está moldeada por la historia bíblica de un pueblo a quienes Dios llevó a países extranjeros para escapar de la opresión. El Éxodo nos cuenta la historia de los antiguos israelitas que escaparon de la esclavitud en la tierra de Egipto y vagaron por el desierto sin hogar. En Levítico 19:33-34, Dios nos ordena que recordemos esa estancia como parte de nuestra propia historia de fe: « No opriman a los extranjeros que habiten entre ustedes. Trátenlos como si fueran sus compatriotas, y ámenlos como a ustedes mismos, porque también ustedes fueron extranjeros en Egipto».
Ahora, como nos dice Pablo en Efesios 2:12-19, ya no somos extranjeros. Cristo Jesús nos ha hecho conciudadanos de los santos y miembros de la familia de Dios. Como leemos en 1 Pedro 2:9-12, hemos recibido la misericordia de Dios y debemos demostrar este amor sacrificial en nuestras vidas y obras. Debido a que nuestra verdadera ciudadanía no está aquí en la Tierra sino en el cielo, estamos llamados a trascender las distinciones terrenales hechas entre nosotros por los líderes de este mundo. Debemos proclamar que el reino de los cielos se les promete a los perseguidos y responder al llamado de Cristo de acoger al extranjero entre nosotros.
Esta visión del reino de Dios, esta nueva realidad, es aquella a la que los cristianos nos comprometemos en nuestro bautismo por encima de cualquier preferencia o criterio política, y de la que nuestra Iglesia debe dar testimonio mediante palabras y hechos. Este llamado sagrado conforma tanto nuestro compromiso de toda la Iglesia de apoyar a los migrantes como a los ministerios de las congregaciones de nuestra Iglesia que sirven a inmigrantes y refugiados vulnerables en sus comunidades.
Desde finales del siglo XIX, la Iglesia Episcopal ha respondido a este llamado acogiendo a inmigrantes y refugiados en Estados Unidos y, en la actualidad, el Ministerio Episcopal de Migración es una de las 10 agencias de reasentamiento a través de las cuales los refugiados ingresan a este país. Nuestra Oficina de Relaciones Gubernamentales es una persistente defensora de las resoluciones sobre inmigración aprobadas por la Convención General, y colabora con socios ecuménicos e interreligiosos para instar a políticas compasivas y humanas que, al mismo tiempo, reconozcan la necesidad de proteger las fronteras y abordar las amenazas a la seguridad. Miles de episcopales participan en este ministerio de defensa social a través de la Red Episcopal de Política Pública.
A medida que se anuncien más cambios en la aplicación de las normas de inmigración, nuestros ministerios en toda la Iglesia seguirán ofreciendo vías prácticas para proteger a los más vulnerables entre nosotros. Les invitamos a unirse a nosotros por estos medios:
Abogando ante nuestros miembros del Congreso mediante el uso de este llamado a la acción a fin de tomar medidas para proteger a los inmigrantes, conocidos como Dreamers, que fueron traídos a Estados Unidos de niños y han vivido aquí la mayor parte de sus vidas. El antiguo programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia, que ofrece un respiro al miedo a la deportación, está en peligro, y el Congreso debe tomar medidas.
Oponiéndonos a la deportación masiva — mediante este llamado a la acción —que tendría graves consecuencias para nuestras comunidades y nuestra economía.
Apoyando un control ordenado de las fronteras que sea proporcional y humano y respete el derecho de asilo.
Apoyando programas que protegen a grupos de personas vulnerables, incluido el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS, por su sigla en inglés), la Salida Forzada Diferida (DED, por su sigla en inglés), la libertad condicional humanitaria y el Programa de Admisión de Refugiados en EE. UU.
Pronunciándose en contra de la retórica y las acciones antiinmigrantes, incluidos los ataques basados en la raza, el vigilantismo y la violencia, la división familiar y la detención y deportación sin cargos ni condenas. Como cristianos, debemos oponernos a estas expresiones de odio y miedo con un testimonio claro de nuestra sagrada promesa de respetar la dignidad de cada ser humano.
Alentando a nuestras congregaciones a utilizar los recursos de la Oficina de Relaciones Gubernamentales y la Red Episcopal de Política Públicamientras encarnamos el Evangelio a través del testimonio directo a favor de los inmigrantes en nuestras comunidades.
En toda nuestra iglesia, los migrantes son miembros del Cuerpo de Cristo y parte de nuestras congregaciones y comunidades, y nuestra vida común es más rica gracias a sus contribuciones. A nuestros hermanos y hermanas que corren el riesgo de ser deportados o de ser separados de sus seres queridos, sepan que su historia es la nuestra y su dignidad es inseparable de la nuestra. Estamos a su lado y enfrentaremos estos desafíos juntos.
Como una Iglesia unida en el Cuerpo de Cristo, oren especialmente por las familias que viven bajo la sombra de la separación y por todos los que buscan asilo para protegerse de la persecución. Oren también por las personas de nuestras congregaciones y diócesis que trabajan incansablemente para servir a inmigrantes y refugiados, y que ahora enfrentan nuevos y desoladores desafíos en su ministerio.
Finalmente, tal como lo han hecho los fieles episcopales durante décadas, únanse a nosotros para donar generosamente al Ministerio Episcopal de Migración y a su ministración con los refugiados que buscan una nueva vida en Estados Unidos.
En la paz de Cristo,
Rvdmo. Sean Rowe
Obispo Primado
Julia Ayala Harris
Presidente de la Cámara de Diputados