Immigration Resources and I.C.E. Entry on Your Church Property

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From the Convergence Weekly newsletter: 

“The last 11 days have produced a host of questions from congregations and synagogues regarding I.C.E. entry on property. We have curated these resources to assist you.”

 

From Heather E. Kimmel, General Counsel, United Church of Christ

  • Churches should make a plan NOW as to how to respond to ICE at the church.

  • The plan must include training of workers/volunteers who are likely to be at the church, and must include an analysis of the church’s private and public areas.

  • It should also include some practice at role-playing, because saying “no” to big guys dressed in police gear is hard.

  • ICE cannot go into the private areas of a church without a judicial warrant (different from administrative warrant). No one is required to talk to ICE.

  • Churches should hire a local immigrant advocacy group to do a training on how to respond to ICE. I would start with contacting the local ACLU office if the church cannot identify a suitable organization. 

  • Churches should identify an immigration attorney NOW who can be called by workers/volunteers if ICE shows up.

  • This document may be helpful to begin.  National Immigration Law Center: What To Do If Immigration Comes To Your Workplace


 UCC Webinar: “Sanctuary: Legal Considerations for Churches” WATCH NOW

 

National Immigration Law Center: Specific advice about public/private spaces and recommendations by sector (school, church, etc.). LINK

 

From Jewish Clergy Justice: