Our hearts go out to the family of Laken Riley, whose tragic loss has deeply affected so many. No family should have to endure such pain, and it is our collective responsibility to prevent future tragedies. However, the Laken Riley Act, which passed the Senate and is now under consideration in the House, presents an unjust and harmful approach. It raises serious moral and practical concerns that are in direct opposition to the principles of justice, compassion, and fairness that we hold dear. Therefore, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA strongly opposes this legislation.

Key Concerns:

Mandatory Detention Without Conviction: The Laken Riley Act would mandate immigration detention for individuals arrested—but not charged or convicted—of minor theft-related offenses such as shoplifting. This eliminates due process protections, blatantly ignoring closely held American beliefs that someone is innocent until proven guilty and disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities.

Misallocation of Resources: The bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain over 65,000 individuals annually, far exceeding its current capacity of 42,000 detainees. This could undermine public safety and lead to overcrowding, and inhumane conditions.

Erosion of Federal Immigration Authority: By granting state attorneys general the power to sue federal immigration authorities and influence court dockets, the Act could disrupt federal immigration enforcement and strain judicial resources, reducing the system’s efficiency and fairness.

Harm to Legal Immigration: Provisions in the bill could obstruct the issuance of visas and reduce opportunities for lawful immigration, fostering unnecessary barriers for families and skilled workers.

Take Action:

We urge you to contact your Member of Congress NOW and demand they VOTE NO on this harmful legislation. As people of faith, we are called to uphold justice, defend the dignity of all individuals, and promote policies that foster equity and compassion.

You can email your Member of Congress now by clicking here to visit our action page to send an email to your Member of Congress urging a no vote.

Or you can call your Member of Congress to ask them to vote no.

How to Contact Your Member of Congress

Call the Switchboard: Dial (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your Member of Congress' office.
Visit Their Official Website: Find your Member of Congress' contact form by visiting www.house.gov and entering your zip code in the "Find Your Representative" search box.
Send a Letter: You can send a letter to your Member of Congress' local or Washington, D.C., office. Find the mailing address on their website.
Social Media: Many Members of Congress are active on platforms like X (Twitter) and Facebook. A public post or direct message can also amplify your voice.

Sample Script for Calling Member of Congress

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [Your City/State]. I am calling to express my strong opposition to the Laken Riley Act.

This bill mandates the detention of individuals arrested for minor offenses like shoplifting, even if they are not charged or convicted. Such policies undermine due process, overburden an already stretched immigration system, and unfairly target vulnerable communities.

I urge [Rep's Name] to VOTE NO on this harmful legislation and instead support reforms that promote fairness, protect human dignity, and allocate resources effectively.

Thank you for your time and for considering my concerns.

Talking Points for Your Call or Email:

The bill undermines due process by imposing detention requirements for individuals who have not been convicted of a crime.

ICE should retain discretion to prioritize resources for addressing serious criminal threats rather than being overwhelmed by low-level offenses.

The Act disrupts federal immigration authority, risking chaos in immigration enforcement and overburdening courts.

Faith communities stand for policies that reflect mercy and justice, not punitive measures that exacerbate systemic inequities.

Urgent Action Needed NOW!Oppose the Laken Riley Act to Protect Justice and Preserve Compassion in Immigration Policy

Urgent Action Needed NOW!
Oppose the Laken Riley Act to Protect Justice and Preserve Compassion in Immigration Policy