As Episcopalians, our Baptismal Covenant calls us to seek Christ in all people, strive for justice, and respect human dignity. This sacred commitment compels us to stand with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, recognizing Christ in their struggles and hopes. In these days, we each must bring our faith and conscience to bear in the heart-wrenching realities that immigrants and refugees are facing.

Proclaiming the Good News means advocating for institutions and systems that honor every person’s worth, regardless of birthplace. Standing with immigrants is an act of Gospel-driven justice—breaking barriers, extending hospitality, and embodying God’s boundless love, remaining faithful to the gospel: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)

We recognize that immigration justice is a high priority among our church leaders. I want to assure you that in this rapidly changing landscape, my staff and I, along with dedicated leaders from across our diocese, are working daily to address our shared responsibilities as the body of Christ.

We know that churches want to support our immigrant neighbors in many ways. However, at this moment, we must also take care to comply with legal requirements, even when we find them challenging and perhaps unjust, to ensure that we can continue providing assistance within the boundaries of the law. I ask that you pray before taking any action and, in the words of Jesus, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) I have consulted at length with the Chancellor and with immigration attorneys as we attempt to understand what we can do to help our siblings in Christ who are in need.

Understanding Legal Responsibilities

In the context of immigration enforcement, harboring and interference are legal terms that define actions that may aid undocumented immigrants or obstruct federal immigration authorities. “Harboring”* refers to knowingly concealing, shielding, or assisting undocumented immigrants to remain in the U.S. unlawfully. “Interference” involves obstructing or impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during enforcement actions. Churches must understand these laws because our mission of hospitality and compassion—such as providing shelter, food, and advocacy—may come into conflict with legal boundaries, requiring careful navigation to uphold both faith-based commitments and legal responsibilities.

I want to be clear: ICE should present a judicial warrant (a warrant signed by a judge) to enter the private, non-public areas, of a church. An administrative warrant signed by an ICE official is not a judicial warrant and does not grant ICE officers the authority to enter private spaces, including the private spaces in churches, without consent. No warrant is needed for ICE to enter the public areas of a church. Staff and volunteers should be trained regarding the type of warrant and consent to enter the private areas of a church. I commend to you the resource, Welcoming, Protecting, and Preparing: A Congregational Guide, by the Rev. Minna Bothwell, SEIA Synod, ELCA that includes: Protocols for Staff and Volunteers Engaged in Mission and Ministry, a Step-by-Step Guide to Verify the Validity of a Judicial Warrant, & Policies to Define Church Private and Public Spaces. 

You should also be aware that even if an ICE officer enters with a judicial warrant for a specific person or persons, the law permits that ICE officer to detain and arrest other persons who are present (but not the subject of the warrant) if the officer has probable cause to believe that person is subject to removal from the country. That means that sheltering several migrants or refugees may increase their exposure to being arrested and detained. 

It is also imperative that individuals understand the personal risks involved in any actions that could be defined as harboring or interference. Engaging in such actions could result in arrest, detainment, and significant legal consequences.

Any church that engages in feeding, sheltering, transporting, or financially supporting immigrants should first retain an immigration attorney to guide its leadership through the legal complexities and risks. The diocese is unable to financially support any legal counsel or lawsuits that may arise from these actions.

We are working strategically with all levels of our local governments throughout Colorado, Episcopal Migration Ministries, the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, and other organizations. I recognize that it is frustrating to not have concrete answers or directives. Things are changing quickly, sometimes hour by hour.

Ways Churches Can Support Immigrants Within the Law

Churches can provide meaningful support while remaining within legal boundaries:

  1. Providing Humanitarian Aid – Offering food, clothing, medical assistance, and other basic necessities without concealing or shielding individuals from law enforcement.
  2. Offering Legal and Know-Your-Rights Education – Hosting workshops or partnering with legal experts to educate immigrants about their rights and available legal pathways, including preparing for the care of minor children in the case of parents being detained, i.e. powers of attorney and identification of which family members or close friends are available to respond.
  3. Advocating for Just Policies – Engaging in lawful advocacy efforts to support fair immigration laws through petitions, public statements, and community engagement.
  4. Creating Safe Spaces – Providing emotional and spiritual support, counseling, and welcoming spaces without actively obstructing law enforcement.
  5. Accompanying Immigrants to Court or ICE Check-Ins – Offering moral and logistical support by accompanying individuals to legal proceedings or check-ins.
  6. Helping with Community Integration – Assisting with language classes, job training, and other resources to help immigrants adjust and thrive.
  7. Partnering with Trusted Organizations – Working with nonprofits and legal aid groups to connect immigrants with professional assistance.

We reaffirm our baptismal promises by working to ensure that every person is treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness. In this commitment, we walk alongside our immigrant siblings as co-creators of a just and inclusive society, trusting in the grace of God to guide us in this holy work.

I want to highlight some additional relevant resources for you:

For questions, please contact any one of my canons, who will work to find answers or connect you with the right resources to support you:

  • The Rev. Canon Jon Anderson
  • The Rev. Canon Greg Foraker
  • Canon Mike Orr
  • The Rev. Canon Vanessa Stickler-Glass

Blessings,

Bishop Kym Lucas

* The Immigration & Nationality Act 8 U.S.C. 1324 (a)(1)(A) pertains to criminal offenses for smuggling, transporting, harboring, & encouraging. Smuggling & transporting pertain to criminal networks for money. Harboring is closer to a possible violation, where “actions must have facilitated the undocumented immigrant’s ability to remain here unlawfully.” Example: Mr. Lopez was convicted for providing six homes, providing jobs, & arranging sham marriages for legal papers. 

Encouraging can be a criminal offense to induce the person “to come to, enter, or reside in the U.S. while knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the person’s entry or presence is or will be in violation of the law.” Telling an undocumented person that you don’t want them to leave, or giving them a reason to stay shouldn’t rise to “purposeful solicitation or facilitation of specific acts that violate federal law” in the view of one of our immigration consultants.

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