shared by Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes, Director of Justice and Compassion EMT, on behalf of the Immigration Strategy Group

“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.  I am the Lord your God” – (Leviticus 19:33-34)

The Immigration Strategy Group is small but mighty – and we need your help!
Please read below for some information on developing policies, and how you and your church can help now.

Some background:

The new administration will completely change the face of our immigration work.  Project 2025 lays out the details of the changes which may take place after January 2025.  The details of these are included at the end of this document.

It is rumored that the removal of Sanctuary spaces (cities, churches, etc.) will take place on inauguration day.  It is also very likely that the rules around rights will be changed significantly. Whilst we do not know if all of this is going to happen, we need to be prepared and ready to respond as soon as possible.

Other factors to be taken into consideration: There are around 400 migrants in Skid Row – most came off the buses from Texas.

What happened last time:

• Sanctuary Churches
• People were not accessing services such as medical, schools, etc.
• People needing free immigration advice and support

What is different this time:

• Sanctuary cities and churches will likely not be recognized by ICE

Our Solution

• The immigration strategy group will be holding prayer vigils on a regular basis, details to come forward.
• We will continue to offer sanctuary spaces while we can.
• The location of mobile services that travel around churches in Cal-Pac will be shared by word of mouth only. 
• Providing training and resources.  These will include opportunities for “Know your rights” sessions as well as “Safety Planning” sessions (these provide a way for undocumented migrants to set up Power of Attorney, details of banks, medicines, appointed people for childcare, house keys etc.)
• Churches will  provide shelter on a temporary and very short-term basis – generally overnight as we move people to ‘safer’ states.
• Network of “registered” churches to transport people to safer states through a train of cars using churches as meeting points – word of mouth and encrypted messaging software.
• We will provide details of kits they need – cot beds, bedding, towels, clothing, toiletries, food etc.
• Other churches asked to assemble various backpacks:
  • To go bags for people on the move
  • Educational resources
  • Food/Other
• Provide support to shelters in Mexico.
• Work towards fighting for Sanctuary status to be upheld with other agencies.
• Spread the information on what people’s rights are – research and provide updated sheets.
• Information packs for all churches – regularly updated.

What your local church can do:

Our ongoing work has not changed, we are still assisting asylum seekers and shelters in Mexico.  As we move forwards there are additional ways in which you can assist:

“Know Your Rights” cards – sign up here to order these free cards in a variety of languages.  These should be placed in prominent places in your sanctuary.  Be aware they may change significantly over the next few months.

There will be a training event on January 15^th at Glendale First UMC.  This training will be offered by Alba Jaramillo, J.F. Co-Executive Director of the Immigration Law and Justice Network (ILJN) and will cover how to care for undocumented migrants with care and compassion and a session on “Know your Rights.” In addition, Alba will share some of the excellent resources available through ILJN.

Complete the registration form here to identify how you would like to be involved in helping the conference work with migrants.  Training will be provided for all of the possible action items.

On this form, you will be able to select the following options:

1. Host a mobile event for medical and immigration services
2. Register as a short-term sanctuary church
3. Volunteer to drive
4. Assemble backpacks and supplies
5. Support shelters in Mexico
6. Justice centered work on fighting for Sanctuary status, rights etc.
7. Sign up for the training event on January 15^th at Glendale First UMC

PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS INITIAL CALL BY JANUARY 10^TH 2025. There will be further opportunities to sign up on an ongoing basis.

Not everyone is able to serve everybody, but everybody is able to serve someone.

Project 2025 mandates the following:

• Ensuring Proper Enforcement and Administration of Our Immigration Laws.
• Issue guidance to all U.S. Attorneys emphasizing the importance of prosecuting immigration offenses, and immigration-related offenses.
• Pursue appropriate steps to assist the Department of Homeland Security in obtaining information about criminal aliens in jurisdictions across the United States, particularly those inside “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
• Examine and consider the appropriateness of withdrawing or overturning every immigration decision rendered by Attorney General Garland (and any successor Attorney General during President Biden’s term).
• At a minimum, pursue through rulemaking—and in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security where appropriate—the promulgation of every rule related to immigration that was issued during the Trump Administration.
• Commit sufficient resources to the adjudication of cases in the immigration court system in different environments (for example, in the context of the Migrant Protection Protocols).
• Pursue proactive litigation to advance the federal government’s interests in areas where erroneous precedent curtails authorities provided by Congress (for example, by pursuing the overturning of the Flores Settlement Agreement).
• Pursue aggressive enforcement of the immigration laws within the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division to ensure that no American citizen is discriminated against in the employment context in favor of a temporary or foreign worker.
• Ensure the deployment and use of appointees throughout the department who are committed to successful achievement of the department’s immigration-related missions.