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Preparing for Immigration Raids: A Faithful Guide for Congregations

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Originally posted at blogs.elca.org/ammparo/what-can-congregations-do-to-prepare-for-immigration-raids

As immigration enforcement activity increases in many of our communities, Lutheran congregations across the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific Synods are asking a faithful and urgent question: How can we prepare to offer care, accompaniment, and sanctuary to our neighbors?

A new guide from AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities), a ministry of the ELCA, outlines practical steps congregations can take to prepare for encounters with immigration officials, rooted in our Gospel call to love the stranger and seek justice.

Key Steps Congregations Can Take:

  • Connect locally: Reach out to migrant organizations and Rapid Response Networks in your area to understand needs and how your congregation can be part of the response.
  • Offer Know Your Rights sessions: Host events with local attorneys or organizations to share critical legal information with members and community neighbors.
  • Distribute Red Cards: Provide Red Cards that outline legal rights to carry in the event of an ICE encounter.
  • Prepare ministries: If your church hosts ESL classes, meal programs, or other outreach ministries, ensure you have a written response policy, clear signage about private/public areas, and trained staff who know how to respond to enforcement encounters.
  • Avoid offering legal advice: Instead, connect individuals to licensed immigration attorneys and share trusted resources like the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Grounding Our Response in Lutheran Theology

This is a time to embody our Lutheran commitments: to serve our neighbors, to welcome the stranger, and to speak out with love and clarity. As Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recently stated, “This church is committed to upholding the humanity of everyone, regardless of who we are or where we come from.”

Participating in this work is not only about crisis response—it’s also about long-term accompaniment. Congregations can join the AMMPARO U.S. Network as Welcoming Congregations, staying connected to advocacy alerts, training, and mutual support.

Additional Resources and Actions:

  • Visit ELCA.org/AMMPARO for multilingual “Know Your Rights” flyers, prayers, and webinar recordings.
  • Sign up for the ELCA Advocacy Network to support state and federal efforts for compassionate immigration reform.
  • Learn how to responsibly share post-raid stories by reviewing guidance on trauma-informed storytelling and media engagement.

In this season, we remember our calling as Christians to be people of refuge, justice, and peace. May we prepare not in fear, but in faith—knowing that God walks with us as we walk with one another.

📖 Read the full guide and access resources: https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/what-can-congregations-do-to-prepare-for-immigration-raids

ACTION ALERT!

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The clean energy tax credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (Public Law 117-169) are essential. Tax credits support transition to more sustainable energy investment and the meeting of power requirements of a growing economy, including a U.S. manufacturing revival, building and transportation electrification, AI technology and next generation data centers.  

Before the IRA, these credits’ predecessors enjoyed long-standing bipartisan support for their benefits to communities around the country. Recent research has shown the threats to the U.S. economy posed by repealing the IRA’s energy tax credits include: $336 billion in less investment over the next 15 years; 97,000 fewer American energy jobs created; and an average 10% increase in electricity bills. 

We urge Congress to oppose the repeal of IRA investments in affordable clean energy, American jobs, and economic development in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. Examples of tax credits which meet this nation’s needs are: 

  • Energy Investment Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 48E): Lowers the cost of building clean energy infrastructure. 
  • Production Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 45Y): Provides credits per kilowatt hour of clean energy. 
  • Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 45X): Lowers the cost of making solar, wind, and battery components as well as producing power inverters and critical minerals. 
  • Electric Vehicle Tax Credits (IRC Sec. 30D and Sec. 25E): Sec. 30D provides up to $7,500 for qualified new EV purchases. Sec. 25E provides up to $4,000 for pre-owned EVs. 
  • Residential Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Tax Credits (IRC Sec. 25D and Sec. 25C): Sec. 25D lowers the cost of home projects like rooftop solar, battery storage, or geothermal heat pump installation. Sec. 25C lowers the costs of projects like home weatherization, heat pump installation, or electric water heater installation. 

This Action Alert is part of a Lenten Action Series, an opportunity to take advocacy action as part of your Lenten practice. Our baptismal calling to “serve all people,” following the example of Christ, has urgent meaning as our progress in addressing climate change and the healing and wholeness of God’s good creation are threatened. 

Share your values and convictions with elected officials to urge Congress to oppose the repeal of IRA investments in affordable clean energy, American jobs and economic development in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. Expand your impact by sharing specific experiences of you or your congregation’s experience with these tax credits. 

ACT NOW!

Rescheduled Legislative Forum

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On Tuesday, April 8th at 6 PM there will be a Legislative Forum on Zoom. What issues are pressing to you?

Pastor Paul will share bills making their ways through the Legislature, and bills that LEAN is currently following.

Please email Pastor Paul, paullarson@leanforjustice.org to get the Zoom link!

Take the SNAP Challenge: Raise Awareness of Hunger in Your Community

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Why Participate in the SNAP Challenge?

Could you get the nutrition you need on just $6 a day? That is the daily reality for more than 40 million people across the country who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger for people with low incomes. This federal program provides benefits to eligible people to purchase food at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

Although the SNAP benefit is vital to the individuals and families who participate, the average SNAP benefit is not enough for most people to have an adequate and healthy diet. The SNAP Challenge offers a glimpse of the struggle millions of people with low incomes face daily to obtain nutritious food.

By attempting to live on the average SNAP benefit, SNAP Challenge participants find themselves forced to make food shopping choices on a limited budget and learn how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, stay healthy, and be focused on work, school, and taking care of family.

By participating in the SNAP Challenge, you will:

  • raise awareness of hunger in your community,
  • promote the need to increase SNAP benefits, and
  • get the attention of Congress to protect SNAP.

While living on a SNAP budget for a few days cannot come close to the struggles encountered by families wrestling with all of the issues that come with poverty, your participation will help you gain a new perspective, greater understanding, and more compassion.

Nevada Districts with most SNAP Households

District 1 (Amodei)- Total Households (287,239); 46,284 on SNAP (16.1 percent)

District 4 (Horsford)- Total Households (276,224); 41,193 on SNAP (14.9 percent)

District 2 (Titus)- Total Households (310,163); 31,102 on SNAP (10 percent)

District 3 (Lee)- Total Households (309,767); 27,524 on SNAP (8.9 Percent)

Congressional Recess Action Alert

The upcoming congressional recess (March 15–23) will be a great time to engage and involve Members of Congress in the SNAP Challenge, March 18–20.

Here are some different ways your congregation can engage in the various challenge activities:

  • Participate in the challenge;
  • Take part in a SNAP Shop;
  • Host a community roundtable conversation with your congregation along with those taking the challenge and current or former SNAP recipients.  
Community-Eligibility-Provision-Fact-Sheets_NV29Download

Non-Partisan Vigils In DC 

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On Wednesdays in March via Livestream, ELCA Advocacy, alongside Sojourners and other faith-based partners, will hold a series of nonpartisan vigils every Wednesday at 9 AM PT through March 26 on Capitol Hill. These gatherings will speak truth to power, shedding light on what’s at stake and the communities already impacted. Each vigil will feature faith leaders from diverse traditions offering prayers, reflections, and calls to faithful action.

Register today to receive event reminders and links to the livestream.

Register HERE!