Today, ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) entered Columbia University with deception and detained a student without a warrant. Even as I am writing this, I hear the roar helicopters above my head over the Interchurch Center.
I am writing to extend an invitation for you to join us in a Public Mission Committee’s (PMC) virtual training session entitled, “Resources for Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors” on Thursday, March 5th, at 7:00 pm.
The purpose of this urgent gathering is to provide tools, strategies and resources to help our churches better respond to the immigrant detainment and deportation crisis exacerbated by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
We are compelled to bring people of faith together to reflect upon steps we can take in care of the immigrant community facing relentless targeting, invasions, and assaults in neighborhoods across the country. We have a responsibility to accompany people who are daily threatened with detention, deportation, and death, and bear courageous and compassionate public witness.
In preparation for this online event, we are providing the following: Immigration Statements by ABCUSA, ABCMNY, ABHMS; a PMC Resource Guide; a YouTube recording of our Spring Rally teaching on immigration concerns ABCMNY Spring Rally seminar Know Your Rights presentation here. by New York Immigration Coalition at its website https://www.nyic.org/.
Also check the abcmny.org website for other resources to help inform you on American Baptist stances and trainings. Please find below an agenda for the Thursday, March 5th training. Then and there, we will be joined by faith-based leaders who will share important information about legal protections, constitutional rights and direct-action tools, strategies and opportunities. We look forward to seeing you.
The following links lead you directly to the documents relevant to our ZOOM event on Thursday, which are also on our www.abcmny.org website:
Click each link below seperately.
Letter to churches of the March 5, 2026, online meeting
Flyer of the Supporting our Immigrant Neighbors event
Program Event Outline
ABCMNY Statement on US Immigration System March 20, 2018
ABCUSA Immigration and Refugee Policy 1982
ABHMS Pastoral Letter
New York Immigration Coalition Response sheet
It would be helpful to RSVP that you will be attending the ZOOM event at registrations@abcmny.org
Indicate your name or names if registering for your church, your church name and preferred email address(es).
