Advocate for two legal pathways
The United States Refugee Admissions Program
Following the recent Executive Order Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), President Trump has ordered the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report to President Trump regarding whether resumption of entry of refugees into the United States under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States. This first report is due in April 2025.
Ways to reach out to cabinet members, the White House, and your elected representatives:
- Find and Call your Elected Officials (or call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the House or Senate office you request)
Here is a possible script of what to say:
“Hello, I am calling/writing to ask that the President reverse his decision to halt all funding to refugees who have already been resettled in the United States. It isn’t right to bring people here, promising support to get them on their feet, and then to go back on our promises. In addition, we request that you reinstate the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program so that refugees fleeing persecution can continue to be resettled. Please reverse this decision.”
- Leave a message for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on the Department of Homeland Security Comment Line by calling 202-282-8495
Sustain Legal Protections for Parolees
Urge Congress to protect lawfully present Afghans, Ukrainians, Venezuelans, Haitians and Others.
Hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are currently present and authorized to work lawfully in the United States from countries facing severe crises are at risk of losing their temporary legal protections and facing deportation, harming them and further destabilizing their home countries.
Already, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of parole for more than half a million individuals from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and other countries who entered the U.S. lawfully with a U.S.-based sponsor (often a family member or a church).
Other individuals from these countries who have been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will also lose those protections in the coming months, putting them at risk of deportation. Individuals from Ukraine who entered the U.S. lawfully through similar parole programs are fearful that their protections could be withdrawn soon.
Ask Congress to pass legislation to protect these individuals and allow them to remain lawfully in the United States.
Education and Awareness Resources
- Invite Arrive Ministries leaders to speak at your church or teach a class as a way to educate members about biblical perspectives on immigration and the experiences of immigrants today.
- If you are a church leader, preach and teach on welcoming at your congregation
- Use these resources that include articles, trainings, podcasts and books to explore immigration from a biblical and humanitarian lens.
- Do the “I Was a Stranger” Challenge – a 40-day Scripture-reading guide, suitable either for individual study or for use by a congregation, focused on God’s heart for vulnerable foreigners
- Do the Welcoming the Stranger study in your church small groups
and ministry teams. - Download and read the Closed Doors Report on Persecuted Christians and the U.S. Refugee Resettlement and Asylum Processes and the LifeWay Study on 2024 Evangelical Views on Immigration Study
Speaking out to those in positions of influence so that the vulnerable and oppressed will receive the dignity, rights and freedom God desires for them.
Scripture teaches the importance of showing compassion (Matthew 25:31-46), seeking justice (Isaiah 58:1-14), defending what is right (Proverbs 31:8), and showing mercy (Micah 6:8).
Speak the truth in love and with humility
- Use platforms such as social media, write an op-ed, read and share stories of local refugees and immigrants, highlight the biblical imperative to welcome the stranger and advocate for policies that uphold human rights and dignity.
- Welcome to Recipricol Hospitality
(Book Excerpt of Beyond the Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration by Karen González)
Prayer and Spiritual Support
- Offer pastoral care and support to immigrant members of the congregation, including counseling, advocacy and practical assistance with legal and social services from your local Arrive Ministries regional site.
- Pray together as a church community, dedicating time during services or in small groups to pray for immigrants, refugees, policymakers and all those affected by immigration policies.
Specific prayer points:
– For our elected officials, as Scripture commands of us (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
– For the discernment and wisdom over our elected officials (Prov. 21:1).
– For safety for all refugees and other displaced people around the globe
– For the courage to advocate and affirm the dignity of refugees and people in vulnerable situations
– For servant hearts as Christians to welcome the sojourner and foreigner based on biblical principles
