Staff Reports
Faith leaders across the country are throwing a theatrical fit over President Trump’s new immigration policies, claiming the crackdown is instilling fear in the hearts of their migrant-friendly congregations. Some of them are even plotting how to resist federal enforcement in places of worship, and it seems their moral high ground might be built on shaky foundations.
Take Rev. W.J. Mark Knutson in Portland, for instance. He bravely announced plans to offer sanctuary to undocumented migrants at his church—just as he did back in 2014. Apparently, he still believes pitting theology against the law is a valid approach to governance. After all, who needs the rule of law when you have a pulpit? Knutson insists that an unjust law is not a law at all, which may be comforting to his congregation but doesn’t quite align with the legal realities co-existing outside his sacred space.
Trump won’t ban immigration arrests at churches. Now clergy are weighing how to resist https://t.co/5kI2n1zkSH pic.twitter.com/MRc3Eg0n5Z
— Press & Guide (@pressandguide) January 23, 2025
Over in Philadelphia, Rev. Robin Hynicka is unabashedly dubbing his church a “sanctuary congregation,” a term that now seems to be synonymous with ignoring the laws of the land. Hynicka doesn’t just want to keep a few folks safe; he wants to create an all-encompassing policy of sanctuary that extends beyond church doors, because what’s better than a good old-fashioned religious loophole to subvert federal guidelines? His sentiment is clear: laws are secondary to what he believes—what could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile, the Rev. Joseph Dutan from Queens reports a sense of dread rippling through his congregation. According to him, members are so terrified that simply attending Mass has become a risky endeavor. It’s almost as if these pastors are unintentionally whipping up a little hysteria for their own purposes. Church attendance shouldn’t come with a “may result in arrest” disclaimer, yet here we are, clergymen shedding tears for individuals who clearly knew the risks associated with violating immigration laws.
While some religious leaders express sadness over the situation, the reality is they are more concerned about public perception than the actual laws. A New York City mosque has also jumped on the bandwagon, as Imam Omar Niass offers shelter to migrants, proclaiming it’s his duty. One wonders where this sense of duty was prior to the new immigration policies. It’s as if some faith leaders have suddenly discovered their calling—as if violating federal law has become their spiritual crusade.
Even among some evangelical leaders, there’s a clash of opinions. Pastor Robert Jeffress, a staunch Trump supporter, has thrown cold water on the angry chorus from other pastors, stating that churches aren’t above the law. Yet, confusion reigns in the evangelical circles as Brent Leatherwood attempts to articulate policy without stepping on too many toes. It’s almost entertaining to watch them scramble between doctrine and legality, wondering where their ethical allegiance should lie.
In a head-spinning twist, it becomes evident that these expressions of moral outrage veer dangerously close to political posturing. The genuine fear that some undocumented migrants may face is real, but twisting it into a narrative of faith versus government simply distracts from the deeper issues at hand. If faith leaders focused on preaching personal responsibility rather than undermining national sovereignty, perhaps their congregations might feel steadier on their feet as they navigate these turbulent waters.
