Policy Statements

Dear Chairman Jordan and Ranking Member Raskin: The undersigned 25 faith-based organizations and congregations write to express our strong opposition to H.R. 175, the “Deport Alien Gang Members Act.” Across our traditions, our organizations share the commitment to welcome the sojourner, love our neighbor, and uphold the dignity of every person. H.R. 175 betrays that call by penalizing members of …

The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act Beginning in 1993, Democratic and Republican presidential administrations upheld policies affirming that people must be able to access places such as schools, houses of worship, courthouses, and other locations that provide essential services without fear of detention or deportation. However, over the three decades these “sensitive locations” guidelines were in place, Congress never codified limits …

What is the Lautenberg Program? The Lautenberg Program is one of the U.S.’s primary tools for protecting refugees fleeing religious persecution. The program facilitates reunification for families who have fled Iran and the former Soviet Union as a result of threats to their religious freedom. The Lautenberg Program has created a path to safety for a wide range of religious …

What is SNAP and who qualifies for it? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly known as the Food Stamp Program – provides cash assistance to eligible low-income households to help them purchase groceries. SNAP is overseen federally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is typically administered by state governments (though in ten states, county governments operate …

View this document as a PDF here. Right now, thousands of refugees and other immigrants seeking safety from persecution are losing access to the federal food assistance benefits that make it possible for them to put food on the table. When Congress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” it cut off refugees and other humanitarian arrivals from the Supplemental …