Workshop: What to do if ICE comes to your congregation:
Get Prepared, Get Organized

For free registration and the zoom link, click here.

A recent policy change that offers the Department of Homeland Security allowing greater leeway for immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations,” including houses of worship has rightly stirred the ire of religious communities around the county and in our Conference. Our UCC tradition affirms that God’s presence is not limited to any one place, yet we also recognize the power of setting apart sacred spaces for worship, reflection, and action. A consecrated church space is not just a building—it is a sovereign space where God’s presence is acknowledged, where Christ is proclaimed, and where the Spirit moves freely among God’s people. It is a place where heaven and earth meet.

Several of our Conference congregations are deeply engaged in immigration work. All of our congregations have a holy responsibility to protect the sovereign sanctity of their sacred places.

As the Trump Administration rescinds the sensitive locations memo, which blocked ICE from entering congregations, and ICE escalates its enforcement, congregations need to be informed, connected and ready.

New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia will be holding a workshop to prepare your congregation that will cover:

• Updates about the memo and ICE activity
• What to do if ICE comes to your congregation, is outside, or tries to enter, and what are your rights
• Prepare a plan with staff and members
• Prevention steps – preparing your space, putting up signs, talking with staff and leaders
• Tactics of noncooperation – grounded in our faith values to love our enemies, we will explore tactics of nonviolence

Who this is for:

• Congregations with immigrant members.
• Leadership in the congregation – clergy, religious and lay who will be part of putting a plan together or implementing the plan. We have a limit of 4 people per congregation.