Por CBF Communications
Over the past week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of landmark immigration decisions that will have significant and lasting consequences for immigrants, churches and communities across the country for years to come. The decisions address access to asylum at the southern border, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of immigrants and the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship.
Earlier this year, CBF Advocacy joined an amicus curiae brief before the Supreme Court in support of preserving meaningful access to asylum. Alongside faith and advocacy partners, CBF Advocacy remained engaged until the very end of the legal process, urging the Court to protect access to asylum for those fleeing persecution, reflecting CBF’s longstanding missional commitment to advocate for immigrants, refugees and vulnerable communities.
While the Court ultimately ruled against the position CBF Advocacy supported in the asylum case and allowed the administration to move forward with the termination of TPS for many Haitian and Syrian families, today’s decision reaffirming birthright citizenship preserves one of our nation’s most enduring constitutional guarantees.
“The decisions issued over the past week remind us that immigration law is never simply about legal doctrine—it is about real people, real families and real communities,” said Elket Rodríguez, CBF Global Migration Advocate. “While I celebrate the Court’s reaffirmation of birthright citizenship, I also grieve decisions that make it more difficult for people fleeing persecution to find protection and that leave long-standing TPS holders facing renewed uncertainty. These cases also underscore the urgent need for Congress to enact lasting immigration reform. Humanitarian protection should not depend on changing presidential administrations or shifting executive policies, but on laws enacted through a democratic process that provide both stability and justice.”
Jennifer Hawks, CBF Director for Advocacy, emphasized that CBF’s commitment to immigrant neighbors remains unchanged despite recent court decisions.
“Upholding birthright citizenship does not give the Court a pass for the series of harmful immigration decisions issued over the past week: ending the legal status of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, severely restricting access to asylum and lowering protections for lawful permanent residents,” Hawks said. “Ministry to, with and among immigrants now looks different, and CBF churches will continue to walk alongside their immigrant neighbors.”
Recognizing the immediate impact of the TPS decision, CBF Advocacy has also developed and updated a new pastoral resource to assist churches ministering to individuals and families affected by changes in Temporary Protected Status. The resource provides practical guidance on trusted legal referrals, family preparedness, pastoral care and ways congregations can faithfully accompany members navigating uncertainty while avoiding the provision of legal advice.
The new pastoral resource, along with additional immigration advocacy materials, family preparedness resources and trusted legal referrals, is available through the CBF Advocacy Immigration Advocacy webpage. Churches serving Haitian families are also encouraged to make use of the community-specific resources available through Haitian Bridge Alliance.
As immigration policies continue to evolve, CBF Advocacy remains committed to equipping churches with trusted resources, advocating for just and compassionate immigration policies, and walking alongside immigrants, refugees and all those seeking safety.
Find the Pastoral Guidance for Churches Responding to Changes in Temporary Protected Status here.
Find an Explainer article on SCOTUS’ recent immigration decisions here.
Learn more about CBF’s immigration advocacy here.
Encuentra el artículo en español aquí.
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Led by the love of Christ, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship invites churches and individuals to partner in transforming God’s world, working together as a global community to spread good news, justice and hope through impactful ministries, missions and resources.