Pastoral Letter: Christian responses to immigration enforcement

January 31, 2025
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25: 38 – 40
Dear Companions on the Journey,
We are in the season of Epiphany, the time when the church and her people celebrate the three magi arriving in Bethlehem. Their story, along with the stories of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and John the Baptist, are all marked by dreams, prophets, and angelic messengers. Amid the chaos and confusion inflicted upon a people by a census requiring travel to hometowns, God was guiding every participant in this uniquely divine and human drama.
I am writing to encourage you in a time of chaos and confusion in our land. The unleashing of merciless directives in the form of Executive Orders has upended the lives of many people we know and love in our families, congregations, and communities. Shock, outrage, and fear are normal responses to these current circumstances. And yet even in these times, God does not leave us. In fact, when the least among us are troubled, God expects us to turn to them, using our gifts, knowledge, and resources to ease suffering, heal the afflicted, and assure the afraid that they are always in God’s sight.
Let there be no doubt, it is not by happenstance that God gives us the opportunity to serve the least among us. It is God’s expectation that we will live into the divine and holy vision of a world transformed by God’s love, mercy, and justice. As we learned in the pandemic years, we have an expanding capacity to care for the least among us. We can expect that God will give us insight and wisdom in dreams, messages, and prophecies as God has so often done when God’s people need to see and be the light of Christ.
The Executive Order rescinding protected status for churches, schools, and hospitals was shocking and had immediate impact in Northern New Jersey. The loss of safe spaces is especially grievous to churches. The church has been, is now, and will always be God’s house. The church is always home, for all of God’s people, at all times, regardless of circumstance or status. To treat it as one more secular place to bring harm to God’s people is the direct opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ and ignores the freedoms of religion enshrined in the First Amendment.
Work in our diocese is well underway to prepare and support congregations and ministries primarily comprised of and/or serving people of color in the event they need to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Additionally, clergy of color will be trained next week to avoid becoming collateral detainees as they make pastoral visits to hospitals or schools.
This kind of preparation is not solely for the clergy and congregations of color, however. It is a ministry the entirety of our diocese is called to support. These are simple and practical ways that every congregation and member of our diocese can support immigrants and the people who serve them:

• Read the document “Immigration Guidelines for Congregations.” Discuss and determine how you and your congregation will support or advocate for immigrants.
• Call and write your elected representatives to express your concerns about the loss of protected status for churches.
• Carry “Know Your Rights” cards and ask people if they need a copy or know someone who needs a copy.
• Pay attention to who is missing from your congregation or ministry. Pray for them and ask how best to support any family remaining in New Jersey.
• Pray daily for the safety of our at-risk congregations, ministries, and clergy.
• Partner with local advocacy and immigration support organizations.
• Study the life and ministry of Jesus as found in the Gospels.
• Participate in a Sacred Ground program to develop a deeper and Christian understanding of our ongoing struggles with race and racism.
• Pay attention to what the law permits and seek to model Christ’s mercy within those parameters.

Finally, our call is always to serve God and serve God’s people. In a time that is terrifying for many, we are called to bring God’s peace. This is a ministry of mercy. As always, we are not alone in this ministry. We are guided by the One who loves us and all people, regardless of their circumstances and status.
Grace and peace,
Bishop Hughes