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United for Faithful ReformGood afternoon,????

At the Forum, we are concerned about recent policy changes that are impacting much of the work we do. These changes could have massive impacts on our communities and the broader debates surrounding faith and immigration.????

The Evangelical Immigration Table [link removed] (EIT), a coalition of evangelical organizations and leaders advocating for bipartisan immigration reform, has been helping lead the conversation in this effort. At the beginning of the year, the EIT issued "An Evangelical Immigration Agenda for the 119th Congress and the New Administration
[link removed]" to all congressional offices. This policy agenda calls on the new Congress and the Trump administration to work together in advancing critical policy issues, including:????

* Ensuring secure, orderly national borders??

* Creating a solution for Dreamers????

* Facilitating orderly, lawful immigration processes??

* Sustaining the U.S. refugee resettlement program??

* Prioritizing immigration enforcement efforts on individuals convicted of serious violent offenses or who otherwise pose a credible public safety threat??

* Continuing to respect longstanding guidance that limits immigration enforcement in "sensitive locations" such as church services and ministry sites??

* Establishing a restitution-based legalization process??

On February 6th, 2025, Evangelical leaders representing prominent organizations within the EIT including the Ethics &
Religious Liberty Commission [link removed] (ERLC), National Association of Evangelicals [link removed] (NAE), National Latino Evangelical Coalition [link removed] (NaLEC), and World Relief [link removed] attended the National Prayer Breakfast [link removed] in Washington, D.C. While President Trump spoke about the importance of unity and faith, EIT leaders voiced concerns about the impact of recent immigration policies on
religious freedom and their communities. There, Reverend Gabriel Salguero, president of NaLEC, spoke [link removed] about the fear and anxiety experienced by students from mixed-status families, a concern shared by teachers in his congregation. ??

Among the most pressing issues raised by these policies are the recent termination of "sensitive locations" and concerns about the future of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program. The change to "sensitive locations" allows immigration enforcement to enter churches, schools, and hospitals, discouraging multiple undocumented individuals from accessing essential services and attending worship. The termination of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program has ended lawfully provided refuge to those who are fleeing religious persecution, including thousands of Christian refugees. In response, the EIT has been actively advocating
for these protections to be reinstated by sending a letter [link removed] to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary Noem, urging them to reconsider these decisions and respect longstanding commitments to religious liberty. To further support this effort, please join the EIT in contacting [link removed] your members of Congress to reinstate the Refugee Resettlement Program. ??

Recent LifeWay polling continues to show that evangelicals hold nuanced views on immigration and believe in solutions for legal pathways and opportunities for refugees and immigrants. The most recent study [link removed], conducted in January of this year, revealed
several key findings:??

* 70% of evangelicals believe that the United States has a moral responsibility to accept refugees.??

* 76% of evangelicals would support changes to immigration law that increases border security and establishes a process to earn legal status and apply for citizenship.??

* 80% of evangelicals say it is important that Congress passes significant new immigration legislation in 2025.??

These results align closely with the EIT's principles [link removed], showing that a significant majority of evangelicals support a balanced approach to immigration that emphasizes both increased border security and the establishment of new pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals.????

Since 2012, the EIT has been encouraging a national discussion about immigration rooted in biblical values. While challenges still persist, the EIT remains
committed to finding bipartisan immigration solutions that honor both faith and compassion. Whether a faith leader or not, we invite you to join us [link removed] in advocating for bipartisan immigration policies that are compassionate and dignifying.????

Stay faithful and hopeful,??

Marina??

**Marina Caraballo**
Field and Constituencies Intern
National Immigration Forum??

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

USA TODAY: Iranian Christians Feared Death in Iran, the U.S. Deported Them to Panama [link removed]??

FORBES: U.S. Conference Of Catholic Bishops Sue Trump Administration For Cutting Refugee Settlement Funding [link removed]??

CNBC: White House
posts video of immigrants in shackles, calls deportation footage 'ASMR' [link removed]??

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Pope rebukes Trump administration over immigrant deportations and appears to aim directly at Vance [link removed]??

TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT: Florida begins immigration crackdown, names migrant flights official to lead enforcement [link removed]??

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National Immigration Forum
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