This an updated document to guidelines issued on April 8, 2025. Four members of the Task Force are now contact persons for anyone needing an immigration lawyer. Only the individual contacting the lawyer will be the client; neither the diocese nor the congregation will be involved.
Questions about the procedure should be directed to Rev. Canon Lee Crawford, convener of the Task Force, lacinvt94@gmail.com
The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont is committed to protecting the rights of all who come through our doors, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment free of barriers, regardless of a person’s immigration status.
Consistent with the rule of law, the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont honors valid judicial warrants. Any request for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or any other agency to come onto the property in search of a person or persons must be accompanied by a legal and valid warrant signed by a judge (see examples). Unless someone from immigration law enforcement (ICE and/or Homeland Security) presents a judicial warrant, they may not enter any church buildings. A DHS/ICEAdministrative Warrant is not signed by a judge and as such cannot compel the church to permit entry.
Without prior authorization from the Chancellor of the Diocese, The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont does not consent to non-local law enforcement accessing church facilities; church personnel may not give consent without such authorization.
The Task Force on Becoming a Sanctuary Diocese recommends that congregations immediately do the following:
- Develop a written response policy & preparedness plans in advance.
- Make sure leadership knows the following:
- If ICE appears on your premises: If ICE comes to your premises, you must call the Chancellor (or another attorney as Chancellor’s Designee) to obtain consultation and consent. Asking agents to wait gives time to evaluate any warrant and to collect thoughts for a difficult situation. Advise the officer that they must wait outside the church buildings and off church property while you obtain guidance from counsel.
- Designate an authorized person to review warrants & subpoenas. (C.f., point 2)
Understand the distinctions between public and private areas.- Take these IMPORTANT STEPS FOR ALL FORMERLY PROTECTED AREAS:
- Identify non-public spaces. ICE agents may enter public spaces that are open to congregants but cannot enter private areas such as offices and rectories. Places of worship should clearly delineate what areas are private and/or if areas are only open to the public at certain times.
- Train non-authorized staff & volunteers on how to respond to ICE requests. (C.f., point 2)
- Take these IMPORTANT STEPS FOR ALL FORMERLY PROTECTED AREAS:
- Document all interactions with immigration enforcement.
- Connect with immigration response networks in your area.
- If someone needs access to a lawyer who specializes in immigration law, contact one of the four members of the task force, who can give provide you with a name. NOTE that the congregation will not be the client, only the individual who needs a lawyer.
Most important: Do not promise anyone (i.e., refugees and immigrants without legal status) something that you cannot deliver on. The legal authority of ICE is broad, and it will not be difficult for them to obtain administrative warrants, and only slightly harder to obtain judicial warrants.
Resources
Most everything one needs pertaining to these situations can be found on The Episcopal Church website.
For rights cards to print out on stock paper, go to https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/ilrc-red_card_template-spanish-v2.pdf
Content is as follows:
You have constitutional rights:
- DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.
- DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.
- DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
- If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.
- GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.
I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door. I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights. I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.
These cards are available to citizens and non-citizens alike.
On September 29, 2025, President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris provided an update on the sensitive locations lawsuit that the Episcopal Church joined in response to the federal government’s decision to allow immigration enforcement to enter churches. Read her letter.
The case, Mennonite Church USA v. DHS, has moved forward on appeal. Both President Ayala Harris and Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe submitted declarations in support of the case. The opening brief can be read online.
