Research shows counties with higher levels of immigration enforcement experience persistent reductions in the construction workforce, residential homebuilding and increases in home prices. (Adobe Stock)

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By Kathryn Carley

January 27, 2025   

Faith leaders nationwide are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s assertion that churches are no longer considered safe spaces for undocumented immigrants.

The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded expanded guidelines set by the Biden administration that thwarted arrests in so-called sensitive areas – including churches, schools, and medical facilities.

Rev. Norman Allen of First Parish in Portland said the change goes against long-standing tradition.

“The idea that you could go into a place of worship and create fear,” said Allen, “it seems not in keeping with some core values that we have as Americans.”

Allen said he hopes to share information with congregants about immigrants’ rights to pass along to anyone who needs it.

A recent report from the Maine Center for Economic Policy reveals the roughly 5,000 undocumented immigrants in Maine contribute more than $15 million in state and local taxes.

Immigration officials in the current administration say Biden’s decision to classify certain areas as off limits to enforcement agents helped “murderers and rapists” to avoid arrest.

But research shows undocumented immigrants are far less likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens.

Allen said his parish has been involved in social justice efforts for 350 years, and will continue to care for its neighbors.

“The sense that churches, or hospitals, or schools, are hiding someone who is dangerous is simply false,” said Allen. “The whole thing seems more about engendering fear than it does about any kind of practical purpose.”

Allen said he has enormous admiration for Bishop Mariann Budde with the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C.

He said she set a high bar for other clergy to follow when she asked President Trump to have mercy upon those who are scared – and Rev. Allen hopes to live up to it.

References:  

Cracking Down, Pricing Up: Housing Supply in the Wake of Mass Deportation Howard et al/The University of Utah/SSRN 3/20/24