What to Do If ICE Arrives at Your Church: A Guide for Progressive Congregations

For many progressive churches, providing sanctuary to immigrants is both a moral and theological imperative. If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrive at your church seeking to detain someone for deportation, it’s crucial to know your rights and responsibilities to protect immigrants while preserving your sacred space. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Know Your Legal Rights and Protections

Churches, like other places of worship, are generally considered “sensitive locations” under ICE’s 2011 policy memorandum. This means that, barring exceptional circumstances, ICE agents are supposed to avoid conducting enforcement actions in these spaces. However, this policy is not legally binding and the current administration has stated its intention to not follow this policy. Ensure your church leadership understands:

• ICE must have a judicial warrant (signed by a judge, not just an administrative warrant) to enter private spaces of the church.
• You have the right to deny ICE entry without a valid judicial warrant.
• It is legal to ask ICE agents to wait outside while consulting a lawyer.

2. Train Your Staff and Congregation

Preparation is key. Conduct training sessions for clergy, staff, and volunteers on how to respond if ICE arrives. These trainings should cover:

• How to identify different types of warrants.
• How to interact with ICE officials without providing information or consent.
• How to safely document the encounter.
• Who to call for legal support and community assistance.

Many immigrant advocacy organizations offer training on how to be an effective sanctuary congregation. Connect with groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Sanctuary Collective, or local immigration advocacy networks.

3. Establish a Sanctuary Response Team

Designate a team within your church to be responsible for handling immigration enforcement situations. This team should:

• Be familiar with the church’s legal rights and ICE protocols.
• Have a plan for alerting legal counsel and immigrant advocacy organizations.
• Be ready to document any attempted enforcement actions with videos and witness statements.
• Know how to provide pastoral and emotional support to affected families.

4. Protect Immigrants Without Obstructing Law Enforcement

If an undocumented person is present at your church, do not physically obstruct ICE agents, as this could lead to criminal charges. Instead:

• Request to see a judicial warrant before granting entry to any private area.
• Encourage individuals not to answer questions or sign documents without a lawyer present.
• If ICE agents enter unlawfully, calmly document the situation and contact legal aid immediately.

5. Advocate and Provide Long-Term Support

Being a sanctuary church means more than responding in the moment; it requires an ongoing commitment to immigrant justice. Your church can:

• Offer long-term sanctuary to individuals at risk of deportation (if feasible and in accordance with legal guidance).
• Provide legal, financial, and emotional support to immigrant families in your community.
• Engage in advocacy efforts for fair immigration policies at local, state, and national levels.

The call to protect the vulnerable is deeply embedded in Christian teachings. By knowing your rights, preparing your congregation, and standing in solidarity with immigrants, your church can be a place of true refuge. In a time of uncertainty for many immigrant communities, faith-based solidarity is more important than ever.

If your church is not yet part of the sanctuary movement, consider joining efforts with local interfaith coalitions to create safer spaces for all. Together, we can ensure that houses of worship remain places of peace, safety, and justice.