Thanks to our sister parish, Saint Miriam Parish and Friary in Philadelphia, for their hard work compiling this important information.
Here at Saint Francis Parish and Outreach we are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of marginalized people.
We pledge our continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all God’s people, as these values tie directly to our work as a Old Catholic Franciscan community.
We pledge our continued commitment to be a church where everyone belongs, justice flows like a river, and accessibility is a way of life. We will always welcome, employ, hire and affirm all people of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures, and sexual orientations.
We pledge our continued commitment to encompass all people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills, and expertise, including immigration status.
We pledge to continue our commitment to honor our organizational and nation’s diversity through the continued recognition and observances related to promoting inclusion including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and other observances that promote diversity and equity.
Key Points for our parishioners:
Protected Spaces:
Even without a Federal Policy in place, schools, hospitals, childcare centers, churches, and other places of worship retain the right to restrict immigration agents from entering their facilities. Additionally, some states and localities have added protections to ensure these spaces remain safe. Our greater church has retained that right to remain a Sanctuary Parish and will not authorize agents to enter any private or public space.
- ICE Agents MAY NOT access ‘public spaces’ such as lobbies, waiting areas, and our sanctuary when in use and open to the public.
- ICE Agents NEED a valid Judicial Warrant or show Probable Cause to enter non-public spaces, classrooms, offices, living spaces, rectory, Friary, etc., OR to question anyone on our property, even if they are within public areas.
- ICE Agents need a Valid Warrant OR permission to enter non-public areas.
- ICE Agents MUST show this Valid Judicial Warrant. Do NOT open locked doors without a Warrant being shown and verified!
- Administrative Warrants – issued by the agency and not signed by a federal Judge – ARE NOT VALID to gain entry or to question at Saint Francis.
Please note: Administrative Warrants DO PERMIT an Agent to question someone IF they have probable cause to believe that they are violating the law.
Privacy Laws:
Our parish is required to protect personal information and use it solely for program purposes, such as enrollment. This information is not shared with immigration agents. These privacy laws are still in effect and remain a critical layer of protection for families.
Raising Concerns:
If you have concerns about accessing a location- such as a school, community health care center, childcare center, church, food pantry, or other location, please share them with the staff, pastors, administration representatives, or principal at the location. They can provide information on the steps being taken to safeguard your family. Additionally, you may reach out to a trusted community-based organization to ask questions about protected areas, policy changes, and any specific concerns you may have.
Support Is Available:
Immigrants and their families are not alone. Advocates and service providers in our community are ready to help and support you in the weeks and months ahead. Saint Francis is here to provide resources and connect families with trusted organizations.
If ICE/Police Come to Your Home
- Try to remain calm.
- Do NOT open the door.
- Ask for a JUDICIAL WARRANT signed by a judge.
- Ask for the order to be placed under the door or to be shown through a window.
- If they enter without permission, VERBALLY STATE that you do NOT grant them permission to enter your home and search your belongings.
- DO NOT answer ANY questions. You have a right to remain silent. If you choose to speak, do not lie.
- Record the event, ensure that photos and videos are synced to the cloud.
- Utilize the Notifica App if you are at risk of being detained.
If ICE/Police Stop You in Public
- Do NOT carry a passport or provide a foreign ID.
- Ask them to identify themselves.
- Provide your name ONLY.
- Do NOT answer ANY questions. You have a right to remain silent.
- If you choose to speak, DO NOT LIE.
- Do NOT sign anything.
- Do NOT consent to being searched. Verbally say, “I DO NOT CONSENT TO BEING SEARCHED.”
- ICE LIES – DO NOT agree to what ICE asks.
Carry a Red Card and verbally state your right if you are detained.
Click on the image open to a new page. From there you can download or print.
Be Proactive: Prepare yourself if you are stopped by ICE/Police
- Gather the following:
- A folder for each family member.
- Copies of identity documents.
- Copies of immigration documents.
- Copies of medical records.
- Bank information.
- Assign a trustworthy primary contact person.
What to look for on Warrants:
- Your name.
- Is it the right address?
- Is you name spelled correctly?
- Only the person, property, and areas specified may be searched.
- It is signed by a judge and has the name of a state/federal court at the top.
See the samples below (click to enlarge)
Additional Resources & Vital Links
We encourage you to review these links for updated information on how to keep protected spaces safe from unlawful immigration enforcement. These resources will be updated as new policies emerge:
National Immigration Law Center
Immigrant Legal Resouce Center
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Catholic Social Services of Atlanta Immigration Legal Services