The Fig Tree, April 2025
by Mary Stamp

To coordinate the faith community’s response to changes in immigration policy, the Yakima Immigration Response Network (YIRN) wrote an interfaith statement that illustrates how people of diverse faiths are united in concern and compassion for the stranger, the immigrant, the refugee, the asylum seeker and the migrant, said Christie Love, senior pastor at Englewood Christian Church in Yakima.

“We are sharing the letter with elected officials and news outlets to challenge the national conversation around immigration,” she said. “We remind leaders, clergy, lay leaders and people of faith that no matter our religious belief or expression, we are all called to care for the least of these and show kindness and hospitality to those in our land.”

In early January, 100 people attended a YIRN meeting in Wapato to discuss how the community could organize to respond to changes. Ten working groups formed to provide rapid response, a state hotline, know-your-rights training, support for students, advocacy, faith response, medical response and more.

“The medical group became aware that many would not seek medical care, so they formed the Yakima Free Clinic to do home visits,” Christie said. The interfaith group formed because they know that sacred texts of faith groups support care for the stranger, immigrants and refugees. Members of that group plan a prayer service on Sunday, May 4, at the Millennial Plaza in downtown Yakima.

The faiths also plan to survey congregations in April to learn how they plan to respond in case of raids and develop a database so people can connect quickly.

“This is a marathon because people will be vulnerable for a long time. We need to listen to needs and adapt as appropriate,” added Christie, who began at Englewood Christian in May 2024.

Ninety-six individuals and faith communities signed the statement as of March 21, with an invitation for others in the Yakima Valley to sign on. The faith communities that have signed the statement are Catholic, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist and United Methodist.

The website also lists letters of support for immigrants from nine denominations and interfaith coalitions.

The following is the statement:

“The call to care for those in need and to welcome strangers is consistent in all faith traditions. These commands are sacred actions, rooted in the dignity and value of every human being, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, language or citizenship status. As Yakima Valley faith leaders, faith communities and people of all faiths, we affirm the importance of honoring individuals without bias due to an individual’s citizenship status.

“We enthusiastically affirm the innumerable contributions that migrants, asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees have historically made and continue to make in our nation, state and local community. These neighbors contribute to the success of our economy, work in our healthcare systems, help build and repair our neighborhoods, volunteer with local nonprofit organizations and share their cultures to help make our communities better places for all.

“We denounce the practice of mass deportations without criminal convictions. We oppose all policies and practices that seek to criminalize, detain, incarcerate or subject individuals to unsafe and unhealthy circumstances as a result of a lack of legal status.

“We raise strong objections to any actions that seek to create unnecessary trauma for families by separating them from one another, and we believe that under no circumstances should minor children ever be separated from their primary caregivers.

“We stand in strong opposition to actions taken against displaced individuals who have followed all legal channels and met all previous program requirements to be in this country.

“As people of faith, we come together to stress the moral imperative that our values, ethics and teachings place on ensuring that all people have the support needed to live in safety and security and their fullest potential. We urge our elected officials to uphold the sacred values of welcoming strangers and caring for one another when considering policies that target migrants, asylum seekers, immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable community members.”

For more information, email yakimaresponsenetwork@gmail.com or visit yakimaresponsenetwork.org/advocacy/faith-communities.