The Massachusetts Council of Churches has a long history of support for new immigrant neighbors. Our commitment even precedes our founding in 1902, through our predecessor bodies that provided direct services of pastoral care, feeding, counseling, literacy education, and housing to immigrant laborers. Support of, and ministry with immigrants is central to our Christian conviction to love and welcome the stranger.
On February 11, 2025, the Massachusetts Council of Churches joined joined over two dozen Christian and Jewish institutions and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection in opposition to the federal government’s rescission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s sensitive locations policy, which violates the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, protecting our places of worship. Read the press release here: https://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025.02.11-Press-Release-MCC-sues-DHS.pdf
The Massachusetts Council of Churches Board of Directors and many Heads of Church expressed our shared commitment to stand with the sanctity of our churches and the dignity of God’s people. Together, we oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s recision of “sensitive spaces,” allowing ICE and CBP to enter churches, hospitals, schools and domestic violence shelters.
“Churches are houses of prayer for all people, as the Prophet Isaiah proclaims. These houses of prayer for all people are, and must remain, places where all people can gather without fear, intimidation, or threat of violence. All who gather in houses of worship must be able to do so freely, based on our American values and the free exercise of religion.
Read the full letter here: https://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025.01.24-Church-ICE-Letter-1.pdf
As Church leaders across Massachusetts, we invite each and every one of our pastors and congregational leaders who wishes to attend trainings to know their rights and protect their people.
Watch the training with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office here
The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General has issued guidance for providers here and a general immigration resource page here.
The Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ has gathered an excellent resource page here, including a sample policy for how a church can handle ICE presence.
New Neighbor Support
If you would like to get more involved in supporting our new immigrant neighbors through advocacy, funding, or volunteering, please fill in this form. Someone will get back to you shortly.
