CLINIC hosts interfaith migration policy summit

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC, hosted an interfaith summit on Oct. 29 and 30 to identify shared approaches to serving immigrant communities. The event in Washington brought together scholars, legal practitioners, advocates, and faith leaders from Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant traditions. CLINIC executive director Anna Gallagher noted that the various traditions share teachings regarding hospitality, justice, compassion, refuge, and responsibility.

The summit addressed a period of difficulty for immigration advocates. A joint report from the National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services estimated that more than 10 million Christians in the U.S. would be vulnerable to deportation under policies implemented in 2025. The report stated that 61% of those vulnerable Christians are Catholic, and more than one in six Catholics could face deportation themselves or see a family member deported unless laws or policies change.

During the dialogue, the Rev. Enid Almanzar, board chair at the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, stated that migration is a central part of the biblical narrative.