As our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States this week, we are invited to ask: Who belongs in America, and what do we stand for as a country? This question feels urgent as we reflect on the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold birthright citizenship, and another decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian immigrants. Read below to hear reflections by local Christian leaders and action steps you can take to stand in solidarity.

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As many Americans are celebrating the Fourth of July this week, a profound moral crisis is also unfolding in our own neighborhoods. Following the Supreme Court ruling on June 25, over 350,000 Haitian and Syrian nationals are facing the sudden termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), including approximately 45,000 with TPS status in Massachusetts.

For many in our pews, the reality of immigration is often obscured by political talking points. We often hear the refrains: “Come the right way,” or “Get in line.” In fact, many Haitians came to the United States through the CHNV parole process—a lawful process created because of the instability and humanitarian crises in those countries. They had U.S.-based sponsors. They were vetted. They received permission to enter and work. They did not sneak in… Then, because Haiti continued to collapse, many moved into TPS.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Montanez, UB Cohort Member and director of the Mygration Christian Conference, shares, “Many of these individuals have been here for well over a decade. They have made their homes, established families, and sought legal and viable pathways for citizenship. Now they are being told that those pathways are no longer welcome. The rules are being changed in the middle of the game, the ground is shifting beneath their very feet.”

Sarah Blumenshine of the Emmanuel Gospel Center’s Intercultural Ministries also points out the volatility of the situation, “One minute people have work permits, jobs, homes, and the next minute they do not. Can you imagine? You thought you had found safety, and then your hosts back out of the deal.” She notes that TPS holders are not a drain, but vital, tax-paying, law-abiding pillars of Greater Boston—working in churches, education, medicine, construction and transportation. 

The U.S. Department of State currently maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti due to extreme violence, kidnapping, and instability. If a nation is too dangerous for U.S. citizens to visit, how can we declare it safe enough to deport hundreds of thousands of families back to? 

Dr. Gabeau, IFSI-USA’s Executive Director, delivers remarks at a rally outside the State House this week alongside Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune (right). Photo: Steph Solis/Axios

A Systemic Disruption to Our Communities

This decision forces individuals into a harrowing choice: return to unstable, dangerous conditions abroad, or remain in the U.S. in the hopes of future immigration relief. Many local Christian leaders are also speaking out with grief and conviction:

• Pastor “Keke” Dieufort Fleurissaint, founder of the Mattapan-based True Alliance Center, reports being inundated with calls from TPS holders fearing sudden separation from their U.S.-born children. As he told The Boston Globe, “My hope was for compassion to prevail… How could anyone let children go back to Haiti like that—into such a dangerous situation?” He adds: “This abrupt termination threatens family stability, job security, and the well-being of thousands of hardworking individuals who have contributed to our economy, paid taxes, cared for our loved ones, and strengthened our neighborhoods. We call on policymakers to pursue humane solutions that recognize the dignity, contributions, and aspirations of those who have long called this country home.”
• Bishop Nicolas C. Homicil of the Voice of the Gospel Tabernacle Church reports that the end of TPS for Haitians has caused significant economic and emotional distress within his congregation. Many members have received work termination notices, creating deep uncertainty about meeting basic living expenses like rent and food. This unemployment affects not only those in the U.S. but also their families in Haiti who rely on their support. Furthermore, some parents are making the heartbreaking decision to appoint Bishop Homicil as their children’s legal guardian should they face deportation and family separation.
• Catholic Archbishop Richard G. Henning strongly condemned the revocation and shared a rare public statement calling the decision a “disaster” for local communities and encouraged people to raise their voices on behalf of the vulnerable.
• Rev. Kelly Fassett, shares, “Last week, while in New York for a conference, I was looking across the harbor toward the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and saw a quote by President John F. Kennedy about how immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life. This is TRUTH – Yet there is so much misinformation spread about immigrants being a drain. In fact, research has shown that the taxes immigrants pay actually save the government trillions of dollars in real terms and fuel the entrepreneurship that keeps our local economies growing.”

How Christians in Boston Can Respond Right Now

This Fourth of July invites us to do more than celebrate; it calls us to reckon with how we are actually living out our Christian values. Does my ultimate allegiance belong to the Kingdom of God, or do I subtly put my hope in my political party? How can I better embody Jesus’ call to love my neighbor, recognizing that every person bears the image of God and is bestowed with inherent dignity? Finally, how can we navigate the tension between respecting our nation’s laws and fulfilling our biblical mandate to protect the vulnerable?

Damaris Velasquez, Director of Programs of Agencia ALPHA, shares, “This is the time for the Church of God—and I emphasize ‘Church’ with a capital ‘C.’ It is that Church, representing many races, languages, skin colors, and socioeconomic backgrounds, that needs to take a stand and reflect the values given by Christ: love, compassion, humility, grace, and placing others before ourselves. Let us not forget that we are testifying to the God we serve—to our families, neighbors, elected officials, and systems—every time we support or fail to support the call God has given us.”

Here are tangible ways you and your congregation can follow Jesus to stand in active solidarity with our Haitian and Syrian neighbors this week:

1. Individual Legal Aid and Emergency Planning

Ensure that the immigrant families within your sphere of influence are legally protected and prepare:

• Understand: Know the state’s official guidelines and resources found on the Mass.gov Resources for Immigrants Page.
• Legal Aid: Direct individuals to Immigrant Connection at Awaken City Church or  Catholic Charities Boston Immigrant Legal Services for trusted legal consultations.
• Prepare: Help families establish a family emergency protocol and care plan:
  • Massachusetts offers an Emergency Planning Guide for Families in English, Spanish, Creole, and Portuguese. 
  • Agencia ALPHA offers a family emergency plan in English and Spanish.

2. Congregational Planning

Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, emphasizes the importance of preparing sacred spaces for potential ICE activity. 

• Stay Informed: Review the Governor’s new statewide guidance for Houses of Worship. If you witness federal agent misconduct, please report it via the state’s official portal. The Massachusetts Council of Churches is hosting a training on this guidance on Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m.
• Utilize Wisdom: A Boston-area pastor has developed a guide for pastors to support immigrant congregants before, during, and after detention: [English Version; Spanish Version].
• Join the Chaplaincy of Presence Team: the Massachusetts Council of Churches coordinates a ‘ministry of presence’ in the parking lot of the Burlington ICE facility to support neighbors attending mandatory check-ins where unexpected arrests frequently occur. Chaplains provide listening, support, and prayer to those arriving and their families. As detentions are expected to rise with the end of TPS, clergy and board-certified chaplains are invited to join their weekday morning rotation (7:30–10:30 a.m.). Contact Rev. Dave Woessner at dave@masscouncilofchurches.org to sign up or for more information.

3. Advocacy and Education

• Call Your Representatives: Reach out to your Senators and urge them to support S. 4814, a legislative pathway to extend TPS protections for Haiti. The 5 Calls Website and App is a fabulous resource to find your senators, with scripts to advocate for the issues you care about.  
• Join the Boston Immigrant Resource Dashboard: Partner with local faith and community networks to share real-time updates, support initiatives, and coordinate localized responses for immigrant families.
• Deepen Your Perspective: In his local pastoral reflection, For Such a Time as This, Gregg Detwiler explores the Church’s response to 2026 U.S. immigration policy, arguing that this is not merely a political issue, but a human, theological, and missiological one.

4. Financial Solidarity with Haitian-Led Organizations

Families are already being affected by the end of TPS. Now that the end of TPS has gone into effect on July 1st, Haitians have lost their work authorization, jeopardizing their ability to work and care for themselves and their families. With this in mind, the most pressing needs are funds to provide housing assistance, food assistance, and legal fees. 

Johane Alexis-Phanor of the Boston Haitian Resource Hub emphasizes the importance of supporting Haitian-led organizations. These groups provide essential, culturally competent services to the community and remain dedicated to long-term support even after the initial crisis fades.

Here are a few trusted and vetted Haitian-Led Organizations & Nonprofits:

• Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of New England led by Pastor Manny Daphnis
• Voice of the Gospel Tabernacle Church led by Bishop Nicolas Homicil
• True Alliance Center led by Pastor “Keke” Dieufort Fleurissaint
• Association of Haitian Women in Boston 

5. Pray

Rev. Manny Daphnis, Migrant Resource Coordinator for the Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of New England (FHEPNE), offers a powerful challenge to the Church: he urges Christians to pray fervently for mercy from government officials, asking that they suspend TPS deportations and halt enforcement actions that cause families to live in constant fear.

O God, we lift up our Haitian and Syrian brothers and sisters, as well as many immigrants who are facing deep uncertainty today. 

We pray for your protection to surround families who fear separation, and we ask for your mercy to rest upon our nation’s leaders, that they may choose compassion over harsh enforcement. 

Help us to live into our nation’s ideals of liberty and justice for all. 

Grant us, your Church, the courage to stand in the gap—to be a sanctuary of hospitality that welcomes the stranger, knowing that in caring for the ‘least of these,’ we are truly serving you.

Bind our community together in this work, and help us to trust that even in these harrowing times, your Kingdom of justice and belonging is near. We remember that Christians shall be known by our love; may that be said of us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.