Upholding Human Dignity While Respecting the Rule of Law

Christian principles to guide immigration enforcement and our care for affected families.

We believe in, and continue to advocate for, just systems that honor legal immigration pathways. At the same time, it is painful to hear reports from immigrant pastors and fellow Christians about the fear with which immigrant neighbors are living—and to hear examples of lawfully present people trying to follow the rules, yet are being detained, separated from families, and in some cases having property damaged or destroyed in the process.

In the ongoing debates over immigration policy and enforcement, Christians are called to remember biblical principles that can guide our response—and shape how we advocate for our government to treat immigrants:

• Every immigrant is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with respect and human dignity.
• We live in a nation governed by law, where every person is entitled to due process.
• Christians are particularly concerned for brothers and sisters who would face persecution or even death if removed from the country.
• Families are foundational to God’s design; enforcement of immigration policies should avoid unnecessary separation of children, parents, or spouses.

These are not partisan values – they are expressions of faithful Christian witness. They are widely shared across the evangelical landscape—from Baptists and Pentecostals to free church Congregationalists and the Reformed traditions. Since the early 2000’s these principles have been commonly embraced in calls for comprehensive reform aimed at fixing a broken immigration system. While legislative solutions went nowhere the moral framework for Christian engagement remains clear.

Today, these principles guide us to stand with immigrants and take concerted steps to uphold human dignity, protect families, and especially to support our brothers and sisters in faith. Here are some practical ways you can act:

• Extend a personal welcome. Simple affirmation can communicate profound reassurance. After high-profile incidents of demeaning rhetoric, reaching out to an immigrant friend or neighbor—holding their hand, making eye contact, and saying, “I’m glad to know you. How can I help you?”—can affirm their inherent value as God’s image-bearers.
• Support families with practical assistance. Some immigrant families are fearful of leaving home to shop for groceries, attend appointments, or transport children to school. A number of churches and neighborhood groups are organizing grocery deliveries or creating carpools to transport children back and forth to school.  Offering your time or resources to these efforts is a tangible way to live out Christ’s call to care for the vulnerable.
• Stand with immigrant pastors and church communities. When immigrant church members face fear of detainment, pastors often bear a heavy burden—counseling distressed families, navigating legal and immigration hurdles, and maintaining daily operations under stress. Providing volunteer help, prayer support, or financial assistance can strengthen these leaders and their communities in a time of heightened vulnerability and anxiety.
• Advocate for awareness and understanding. Educate yourself and others about the realities of immigration enforcement. Many individuals being detained by ICE are law-abiding residents, asylum seekers, or people fleeing persecution. While law enforcement has a role, ICE agents are not permitted to enter private homes, private workplaces, or non-public church spaces without a signed judicial warrant naming a specific individual or location to search. Understanding these protections can help families feel secure while respecting lawful authority.

By taking these practical steps, Christians affirm the dignity of every person, uphold the rule of law tempered by mercy, and protect families from unnecessary separation. In doing so, we embody the Kingdom of God, demonstrating that allegiance to Christ compels us to care for all, especially those most vulnerable.

For additional Resources see:

World Relief “Responding to ICE in places of worship”

MN Attorney General Office “Know Your Rights: Private spaces and ICE enforcement”

National Association of Evangelicals “Resolution on Immigration Reform”

Evangelical Immigration Table “Biblical Principles for Immigration Reform”