Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations

Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations

Approved March 6, 2018 by the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches

The North Carolina Council of Churches:

1. Reaffirms the NC Council of Churches Statement on Immigration,

“Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform” (Dec 5, 2006), a portion of which states: As people of faith and conscience, we recognize that while the issue of immigration is complex, our calling is to welcome the stranger and offer hospitality and justice to the migrant and refugee, regardless of legal status. We remember the words of Leviticus 19:33-34 when God tells the Israelites, ‘Do not mistreat foreigners living in your land, but treat them just as you treat your own citizens. Love foreigners as you love yourselves, because you were foreigners one time in Egypt.’ As nearly all citizens in the United States today are descended from immigrants from other nations, we are reminded to offer support to newer immigrants who contribute to our economy and culture but who suffer discrimination, abuse, and hardship as a result of their status as undocumented residents.”

2. Calls upon congregations to provide hospitality, accompaniment, and sanctuary for undocumented residents who fear deportation;
3. Recognizes that offering sanctuary is one way in which Christians are living out the Gospel call to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger, including but not limited to:
   • Advocacy to end detention
   • Advocacy for expanded visitation programs for detained immigrants
   • Advocacy and organizing to stop the criminalization of immigrants and end the collaboration of local police with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
   • Support of and engagement with immigrant-led congregations and organizations
   • Advocacy and organizing for humanitarian, just immigration policies on the local, state, and federal levels
   • Facilitation of accompaniment to immigration court
   • Recruitment, training, and channeling of volunteers to churches already offering sanctuary or planning to offer sanctuary
   • Raising and providing funds to cover legal expenses of those who are receiving (or have received) sanctuary