Columbia Union Churches Support Members During Immigration Crackdowns

Story by Amanda Blake

The United States’ recent immigration crackdown has impacted hundreds of congregations across the Columbia Union Conference. Earlier this year, church administrators and legal advisors met to discuss the realities unfolding in local churches.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that in 2025, close to 3 million undocumented immigrants departed the United States, including “more than 675,000 deportations.” In a similar timeframe, more than 1.6 million immigrants lost their legal status.

These actions have sent shockwaves through communities across the country—including the Columbia Union, home to 349 multilingual congregations with 62,050 members, according to the union’s 2025 Multilingual Ministries report. Hundreds of immigrant members have been detained, deported, or left the country. Some churches have halted in-person worship services altogether.

At the Columbia Union’s annual human resources/secretariat event in March 2026, church leaders and legal advisers met to discuss these harsh realities unfolding in local churches and ways to move forward safely and with hope.

Church Attendance Falling

Rafael Soto, vice president of Hispanic Ministries for the Potomac Conference, reported that more than 200 conference members have been deported, many of whom were local church leaders. Ramon Escalante, Hispanic Ministries coordinator for the Allegheny East Conference, shared that each one of his conference’s almost 60 Spanish-speaking congregations have been directly hurt by increased immigration enforcement—with around 300 members and visitors deported and hundreds more leaving the country voluntarily. 

“Our church attendance has fallen 25 percent. People are fearful of leaving their homes; they don’t want to come out to church anymore,” Escalante said. 

Eduardo Monteiro, executive secretary for the New Jersey Conference, reported that immigrants comprise nearly 98 percent of his conference membership.

“This demographic reality means that immigration enforcement policies do not affect a small segment of our church,” he said. “They affect the vast majority of our members. Their experience is not peripheral, but it is central in the life and mission of our conference.”

Due to close by ICE activity, several New Jersey Conference churches have suspended in-person services for multiple weeks. Monteiro also reported approximately 40 to 50 recent member detentions and deportations.

Churches Become Lifelines

Many suffering churches have become lifelines for impacted congregants and community members, with a significant amount of care directed toward children and spouses left without a primary financial provider. Churches are delivering groceries to affected families, raising bond money for detainees, organizing prayer and fasting initiatives, hosting immigration information events, and transforming homes into churches.

“We are establishing small-group congregations, and now we have more congregations in the conference than ever before,” shared Escalante. In some locations, “we have one church in every house, in every home, and it’s been a tremendous blessing. If they can’t come to us, we are going to them. And they’re inviting their neighbors—they’re inviting the neighborhood—and we’re having a tremendous revival among them.”

Presenters shared tips for continuing the mission of the church amid increasing immigration enforcement:

• Advocate for individuals through legal channels. With professional guidance, submit letters to immigration judges.
• Help affected families through food, housing, transportation, financial and emotional support.
• Adapt through digital ministry, prayer initiatives and support systems.
• Pray and fast. Remember that God is on our side.

• Listen and have sympathy.

Lisa Saveikis Burrow, vice president and general counsel for the Columbia Union, encouraged attendees to review the North American Division’s statement on immigration issues, titled “An Appeal for Human Dignity and Decency,” as well as its longer document of response,  Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Activity, created to assist church entities that may experience on-campus immigration enforcement activity.

She provided a short summary of those instructions:

• It is perfectly acceptable to decline entry by saying, “I do not consent to your entry.” As a result, if authorities do not have proper authorization to enter, you have not inadvertantly given them permission to do so.
• Do not, however, physically resist law enforcement. 
• Instead, document law enforcement’s actions through photos and videos.
• Instead of producing documents on the spot, politely tell law enforcement that you’ll take a copy of their request and give it to your attorney.

• Always notify your conference office if any interactions happen.