We recognize that there are many significant developments regarding immigration and refugee resettlement and we will provide resources and events regarding these changes and the response of the church and our many partners in ministry on this page.
This webpage is being updated on an ongoing basis. We encourage you to bookmark it and check back regularly for new information. If you are aware of resources or events to add to this page, please send them to gmsoffice@gmselca.org.
Wisconsin Emergency Family Planning Toolkit for Families
at Risk of Separation
Kit de herramientas de planificación familiar de emergencia de
Wisconsin para familias enriesgo de separación
Statements and Press Releases
- ELCA responds to false accusations on X 02-02-2025 | Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
PDF – Joint Statement on Immigration from ELCA Bishops in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
PDF – Press Release – Joint Statement on Immigration from ELCA Bishops in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Executive Orders
Statement from the Asociacion de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA
Resources for Creating a Congregation Statement or Plan
Immigration Presentation by Tim Muth, October 30, 2025
The Immigration and Refugee Ministry Team of the Greater Milwaukee Synod recently sponsored a forum with Tim Muth, Senior Staff Attorney at ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation. He provided an overview of current issues relating to immigration enforcement in Wisconsin. These files are linked below and the topics included:
Where is immigration enforcement happening in Wisconsin today?
How is local law enforcement involved with ICE?
How to prepare for ICE coming to your church, school or place of work.
Know Your Rights in interactions with ICE and Law Enforcement.
Wisconsin Countil of Churches: “Immigrants Welcome Here”
Our faith is filled with examples of welcoming the stranger and the immigrant. As immigrant communities are increasingly under attack in the United States, we are inviting you to proudly proclaim welcome through a visible campaign. Created by the East Central Synod of the ELCA, your congregation is invited to download resources and proclaim your welcome both online and physically throughout your space.
- USAHello Updated Multilingual Immigration Guide
Webinar Resources (“Immigration & Faith Communities Preparing and Protecting Organizations” from the ACLU and Wisconsin Council of Churches)
- Webinar slides
- Checklist – what to do if ICE agents arrive at your place of worship
- The ACLU’s immigrant rights page in English and other languages (this will continue to be updated)
- The 2022 report on 287g agreements
- Additional events from the ACLU
AMMPARO, Migrant Ministry of the ELCA – Resources for prayer, becoming a welcoming congregation, advocacy and accompaniment, and giving generously.
“Know Your Rights” Red Card Resource and Campaign – Printed resource in English and Spanish to provide community members awareness of rights.
Factsheet from ELCA Legal Counsel on rescission of “Protected Areas Policies” a.k.a. “sanctuary” from the National Immigration Law Center – Understand the most up to date legislation on the term, “sanctuary,” as it pertains to immigrants, congregations, and learning centers.
ELCA Social Message, “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy”
Resources from ELCA Witness in Society Team
- Guidance for Places of Worship – Encounters with ICE from the ACLU WI
Resources from “When ICE Comes to your Community: What Pastors Need to Know”
Below are a variety of resources , upcoming trainings, and Know Your Rights information to help you be an effective and protected observer, advocate, supporter, and activist.
- Slides and resources from our presenters can be found below.
- Hannah Freeman (MICAH): Slides. Spectrum of Support – (about halfway down…includes image) https://www.momentumcommunity.org/glossary-of-terms
- Tim Muth (ACLU WI): Slides. Video series – https://www.aclu.org/we-have-rights
- Upcoming trainings:
- ICE Watch & Community Defense | Upcoming Nationwide Trainings from States At The Core
https://statesatthecore.substack.com/p/community-defense-and-ice-watch - Bystander Intervention Training | Right To Be.
There are numerous trainings listed here. Be sure to scroll through the opportunities.
https://righttobe.org/training/bystander-intervention-training/
KYR Webinar – Surveillance, Privacy, Technology | ACLU of WI Feb 12
https://www.aclu-wi.org/event/know-your-rights-webinar-surveillance-privacy-and-technology/
Legal Observer Training | Milwaukee Turners (next in March) ***Fills up FAST!
https://www.milwaukeeturners.org/legal-observing
- ICE Watch & Community Defense | Upcoming Nationwide Trainings from States At The Core
- Further Know Your Rights information:
- Know Your Rights | ACLU (National and Wisconsin)
Resources and trainings, vetted or made accessible/translated in various languages
https://www.aclu-wi.org/know-your-rights/ - Know Your Rights Toolkits – for Many Situations | Apoya La Gente
Site also includes additional resources and western WI connections
https://apoyalagente.com/kyrtopics/
- Know Your Rights | ACLU (National and Wisconsin)
- A Variety of Resources:
- WCC Immigration Resources | Scroll down – many sections
https://www.wichurches.org/immigration - Whistles – Info, Sources and Zines | Faith Based resource
https://www.wichurches.org/articles/crying-out-for-justice - Checklist: What to Do if ICE Agents Arrive at Your Place of Worship – ACLU of Wisconsin
- Digital Security Checklist for Activists https://activistchecklist.org/
Protesting Faithfully Toolkit | Episcopal Church
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/protesting-faithfully-toolkit/ - Downloadable Family Toolkits Eng/Sp, How to Prepare, Immigration Fiction/Facts Sheets | Forward Latino
Presenters Available. Referrals to trusted Immigration Attorneys
https://forwardlatino.org/immigration-facts - How To Find A Loved One Detained By ICE | National Immigration Law Center (multiple languages)
https://www.nilc.org/resources/how-to-find-a-loved-one-after-a-u-s-immigration-arrest/ - Apoya La Gente: Community Actions | Printable Private Space Signs, Printable Solidarity Signs, 287g impact on WI, Farmers & Rural Communities, Talk To Your Sheriff Training
https://apoyalagente.com/community-actions/ - Getting Started with Signal https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/categories/5592576449306-Getting-Started
- From MN Pastors, via the Clergy Emergency League
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/ecopreacher/2026/01/clergy-prepare-for-ice-guidance-from-minnesota-pastors/
- WCC Immigration Resources | Scroll down – many sections
- Please tell us what additional trainings you’d find helpful! While we can’t promise that we have the capacity to offer every training, we’ll do our best to source trustworthy providers and let you know; and we may be able to host some of them for you. Let us know your interests here.
- If you find this helpful and you value this work, please consider making a gift to support our ability to continue bringing it to you. You can find multiple options at wichurches.org/donate.
Bilingual Resources for Parents
- Guidance for talking to children about ICE – from Children’s Network of Solano County
- How to Talk to Kids About ICE – View and Download
- Qué Decirles a los Niños Sobre – View and Download
- For Kids! What to Do If You’re Worried About ICE – View and Download
Additional Resources from our Partners
