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At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we celebrate the impact migrants have on our communities, our economy, and our shared future. Guided by our faith, we affirm that dignity and humanity are not negotiable. Especially in times of fear and uncertainty, we stand publicly and faithfully in solidarity with our migrant siblings.

By: Kate Parsons
Migration Policy Advisor

The Bible writes of one human family, honored and elevated through the image of God that each of us bears. As a Christian community, we are grieved when we hear language about human beings that does not honor the deep love Christ holds for them or the imago Dei — the image of God — that each of them carries. One group of people who have frequently had their dignity denied is immigrants and those who have been forcibly displaced.

Dehumanizing language dishonors the dignity of human beings. It divides people into an “in-group” (us) and an “out-group” (them), often relying on crude generalizations or metaphors related to contamination or danger. This language is not harmless. It flattens and reduces a diverse group of people to negative characteristics, which can erode empathy and normalize inhumanity, overt discrimination and violence against entire groups of people. Such harmful and reductive terms impact not only immigrants to the United States but also U.S. citizens who may be profiled or stereotyped because of their race, ethnicity, heritage or language.

How should we, as people of faith, respond when we hear language that dehumanizes people? We can follow Jesus’ example by seeing and welcoming those whom society has cast out and by encouraging others to do the same.

One powerful way to combat dehumanizing rhetoric is by sharing personal stories. Too often, conversations about immigration happen without input from immigrants themselves — people who most personally experience the joys, hopes or pains stemming from immigration systems. Christians can confront dehumanizing language in conversation by inviting curiosity and empathy about immigrants’ stories — including their own and those of their ancestors — and reminding others of nuance, complexity and breadth of experiences related to immigration.

Sometimes elected officials use dehumanizing language in official communications, on social media or in remarks to reporters or at a town hall. This language from our elected leaders can make it seem acceptable and normal to talk about other human beings in this way, and it can set the stage for laws and policy that also do not recognize people’s dignity. When we recognize and respond to this language, we can advocate for policies that honor the dignity of every person.

Learn more in this downloadable conversation guide and resource. Drawing on ELCA social teaching, this resource is intended to equip communities to see all people through the lens of God’s love and grace and to recognize and respond when language fails to acknowledge all people’s God-given dignity.

Created In The Image Of God

International Migrants Day (Dec. 18) highlights the contributions and rights of migrants, making this an important time to ask Congress to restore asylum for those seeking safety.

The ELCA Prayer Ventures resource marks International Migrants Day, a day to recognize the contributions of migrants and highlight migrants’ rights, with this invitation: “Pray for immigrants and refugees around the world who seek safety, a welcoming community and a place to rebuild their lives. Give thanks for the ministries of our church and other organizations that enable us to respond with compassion, support and resources.”

New U.S. policies announced in November and December 2025 include an indefinite pause on asylum decisions, a traumatic and unnecessary “re-review”of refugees resettled in the United States from 2021-2024, and a halt on immigration procedures for individuals from 19 countries. These policies destabilize the lives of our neighbors and members of our faith community who have carefully followed U.S. immigration law. 

Recollecting teachings “that ‘all people are God’s creatures, sinners for whom Christ died’ and our responsibility to respect the human dignity of all,” the ELCA social message on “Immigration” affirms continuing “to advocate for immigration, refugee, and asylum laws that are fair and generous” (p. 2). As we pray for immigrants and refugees, we can also call on our elected officials to enact policy that respects immigrants’ rights. 

Please see additional resources for people with refugee or asylum status below:

•  [Multilingual Explainer] “Changes to the refugee program in the United States” (Dec. 12, 2025) from USAHello
• “What do the recent U.S. immigration changes mean for Afghans?” (Dec. 8, 2025) from International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
• “What do recent immigration policies mean for asylum seekers and people from countries on the travel ban list?” (Dec. 8, 2025) from IRAP 

Personalize a message to urge Congress to restore asylum and to recognize the rights of migrants. 

[Posted: 12/18/2025]

The candles of the menorah remind us of the resilience of those who have endured against oppression for generations. May we all continue to find the light amongst the darkness.