A Statement on Immigration from the Bishops of Region One of the ELCA
January 22, 2025
As Lutherans, we are called to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ, who welcomed strangers and emphasized love, mercy, and justice for all people. We believe that every human being, regardless of their country of origin or legal status, is created in the image of God and has inherent dignity and worth. This foundational truth compels us to approach the issue of immigration with compassion and a commitment to the common good.
Scripture repeatedly instructs us to love our neighbor and show the stranger hospitality. God commands the people of Israel, "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself" (Leviticus 19:34). Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) shows us that caring for people in need is central to who we are as Christians. The parable also challenges us to acknowledge the goodness in all people because the “foreigner” in the story is the one who acts in the most Christlike way. In light of these teachings, we advocate for an immigration policy that reflects Christ’s love, recognizing that all people deserve respect and protection.
The Lutheran tradition emphasizes both mercy and justice. Justice requires everyone, including immigrants, to be treated fairly and equitably. While upholding the rule of law is important, it must not be done in ways that dehumanize or exploit vulnerable people. We are especially concerned about the possibility that places of worship, hospitals, and schools could be the target of deportation raids. A policy that allowed such raids would increase the suffering not only of undocumented people but also of many people who would fear being unjustly targeted and thus avoid those places. Denying people the opportunity to attend worship, be educated, or receive medical treatment violates individuals’ fundamental rights. We urge those in government and law enforcement who are responsible for the detention or deportation of undocumented persons to consider how their actions might be seen in the eyes of God.
We are all members of the same human family. Therefore, we approach immigration not merely as a political or legal issue but as a matter of human solidarity. The health and prosperity of the United States are intertwined with the contributions and lives of immigrants. Immigrants bring diverse gifts and play an essential role in our communities and economies. Our immigration policies should reflect a commitment to the welfare of all, especially the most vulnerable.
As people who have received God’s mercy and grace, we are called to extend that same mercy and grace to others. This means offering opportunities for new beginnings, particularly for those already present in the United States without legal documentation. A just immigration policy would provide pathways to citizenship for those who have lived in the U.S. for years, contributing to the country and integrating into our communities. It should also guarantee protection for those fleeing violence or persecution, ensure that immigrant families remain united, and make sure that children are not punished for their parents' actions.
We are called, as individuals and as a society, to remember that the immigrants among us are not intruders or enemies but bearers of the image of God, deserving of our care, respect, and advocacy.
The Rev. Shelley Bryan Wee, Bishop, Northwest Washington Synod
The Rev. Richard Jaech, Bishop, Southwestern Washington Synod
The Rev. Dr. Laurie Jungling, Bishop, Montana Synod
The Rev. Laurie Larson Caesar, Bishop, Oregon Synod
The Rev. Dr. Meggan Manlove, Bishop, Northwest Intermountain Synod
The Rev. Timothy Oslovich, Bishop, Alaska Synod
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A Statement on Immigration from the ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
January 28, 2025
”When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34).
Dear church,
I write to you today with grave concern. Over the past few days, ELCA leaders and ministry partners have shared with me the immediate impacts of recent executive orders focused on immigration. I have heard about families frightened of being torn apart and from congregations fearful that their churches can no longer offer safety or support to their immigrant neighbors. I have heard from faith partners ordered to stop services to refugees and from businesses upended by workforce disruptions.
Many of us in the ELCA come from immigrant peoples. As Lutherans, we have a long tradition of hospitality, dating back to the end of World War II, of helping displaced Lutheran refugees, assisting subsequent refugee groups and welcoming new immigrants. Our church has long called for compassionate, just and wise immigration reform. ("Toward Compassionate, Just and Wise Immigration Reform" social policy resolution).
Today, recent immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced people are members of our congregations, communities and leadership. The presence of newcomers heightens our awareness of issues of relevance to the church so we can take part in faithful deliberation on public policies, like the ones that have come out in recent days. Our church’s grave concerns grow out of these experiences with the people being affected.
From these experiences, people in our church have learned that the decision to leave one’s home country is not made lightly. Many have arrived fleeing persecution because of how they worship, their political views, or their race and nationality. Political instability, environmental catastrophes and lack of opportunities have also compelled many to seek a more dignified life. Out of our own Lutheran experience of knowing many refugees, we have long stood against exclusionary attitudes and policies toward successive newcomers.
Among the policy changes to which our church’s social teaching objects include:
- Orders to suspend all refugee resettlement.
- New and sweeping enforcement priorities.
- The summons of military personnel to the border.
- The decision to revoke special guidance regarding enforcement activity at or near sacred or protected places.
Keeping communities safe and supporting the well-being of all people is a goal shared by the ELCA. Yet it’s worth naming that these executive actions are increasing fear and division within our society. Some people, including U.S. citizens, are alarmed about immigration enforcement at churches, schools and playgrounds. Some are afraid to seek care at hospitals or to access essential services.
The ELCA supports the view that nations have the responsibility to protect their borders and safeguard their communities. However, these policies must cause “neither undue repercussions within immigrant communities nor bias against them” (“Immigration” social message, page 7). Just policies include recognition of the humanity of immigrants without status, respect for the dignity of those at the border and refuge for displaced people.
The Scriptures are clear. We are called to see anew the image of God in our immigrant neighbors. Following God’s call in Leviticus 19 that is echoed throughout Scripture, the time is now.
It is my sincere hope as bishop that various harmful actions will be reconsidered. It is my fervent prayer that we, as church together, will be bold in our witness and actions. ELCA churchwide ministries will continue to provide resources to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Let us together join in:
- A Call to Prayer alongside and for immigrants and sojourners, our communities and for our leaders, that they will act wisely and justly, protect all people and not cause harm.
- A Call to Learning, using resources such as the ELCA social message "Immigration"; the ELCA’s strategy for Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO), including “Know Your Rights” information; and companion resources from Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) and Church World Service on the policy changes.
- A Call to Public Witness, using the resources of ELCA AMMPARO, ELCA Witness in Society and State Public Policy Offices, and joining with our ecumenical partners as we offer faithful, direct witness to government.
As a sanctuary denomination, the ELCA proclaims walking with immigrants as a matter of faithfulness. The ELCA does not call for activity contrary to the law but for congregations, leaders and individuals to explore resources addressing how to interpret this memorial to their own contexts. Most of all, I encourage all to discern together how to live our faith, excluding none from God’s overflowing love.
God calls us to welcome the stranger and love the sojourner as we love ourselves. I pray for God’s grace to increase understanding of and mercy toward immigrants in these days.
In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 
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