Dear members of Congress,

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6).

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:34).

United in faith and rooted in love, the nine undersigned Christian denominations and organizations composed of millions of people across the United States, grieve the ongoing assaults on the dignity, rights and well-being of our immigrant members and neighbors through aggressive immigration enforcement.

Our churches have decried denial of due process and recent violence by federal law enforcement agents, including the shootings of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. We call for investigation, accountability and justice in these cases.

We also see this as a critical moment to legislate immigration policies that are just, humane and respectful of the dignity of immigrants who, like all people, are beloved children of God. We are grateful that Congress heard the national outcry and did not vote hastily for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget that would have provided additional unchecked funding to ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies.

As you negotiate meaningful reforms in the coming weeks, we urge you to prioritize language that preserves the freedom to worship, to live in safety regardless of race or background, to love our neighbors, and to meet the basic needs and rights of all.

In particular, we ask that you emphasize the following in your negotiations:

● Codify protections from immigration enforcement for our churches and other houses of worship, as well as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and other sensitive locations. We grieve the fear that keeps our siblings and neighbors away from essential religious services and practices. We ask for the sanctity of worship to be respected by prohibitions on immigration enforcement at or near sensitive locations.
● Limit excessive funding for immigration enforcement. Federal immigration enforcement received over $170 billion in summer 2025 to supercharge enforcement activities. This surge has led to widespread and indiscriminate detentions, detention facilities operated by private companies that fail basic standards of care and liberties, and intimidation and violence against U.S. citizens and entire communities. More funding for ICE is neither fiscally responsible nor morally defensible. We ask that DHS prioritize funding for programs that support the common good, including funding to reduce the USCIS case backlog.
● Reaffirm restrictions on federal immigration agents’ targeting of people based on race, language or country of origin. Federal immigration agents’ activities have targeted U.S. citizens, permanent residents and other immigrants because of their appearance, how they speak or where they work. We call for an end to indiscriminate enforcement efforts and an end to surge presences in Minneapolis and other cities.
● Require due process for immigration agents and consequences for failure to follow these processes in their interactions with immigrants and those supporting them. This includes independent investigations of ICE violence that result in meaningful consequences.
● Ensure standards in immigration detention facilities and disallow funding used to detain children. These standards must include adequate medical care, clean water, food, access to religious practices and services, and contact with families and lawyers. The standards must protect the dignity and safety of all. We also call for a total halt to the detention of children.
● End the arrests and traumatizing reinterviews of lawfully present refugees. We affirm our commitment to the U.S. refugee program and urge the protection and ongoing welcome of our refugee neighbors. Reopening cases is unnecessary, cruel, and destabilizes the lives of families that were promised safety by the United States.

In the coming Christian season of Lent, our churches will follow the journey of God’s people displaced from their homes and wandering in the desert. Again and again, God provides for their needs, and when they are settled, issues a command: “The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).

Thank you for considering our requests.

Sincerely,

Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Richard Santos, President and CEO
Church World Service

Eddy Aleman, General Secretary
Reformed Church in America

The Provincial Elders’ Conference
Moravian Church, Northern Province in America

Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO
Global Refuge

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary
National Council of Churches

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples in Christ) in the United States and Canada