The backbone of our advocacy work is done by the Organizing Committee, which is made up of Immigrant Welcoming Congregtions. Individuals and groups within a congregation join this commitee and work with our Immigration Program (and an extensive network of allies and friends) to push for pro-immigrant legislation at the local, state and federal level.  It is hard, but inspiring work.

Consider joining us as an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation (IWC). Read how at the bottom of the page. We are united by our common mission.

Mission

We are an interfaith coalition called to challenge faith communities and leaders through education, advocacy, and action to live in compassionate solidarity with immigrants.

Vision

We will educate all people about the failures of our nation’s current immigration system. Through this transformative education, we will stand together as one prophetic voice demand the most just and humane immigration policies necessary to ensure that not just our religious community, but our nation, is a sanctuary of peace and justice for all people.

Values

We believe in the dignity of all persons, regardless of their national origin. Together we will bear the fruit of Sanctuary: Justice, Unity, Physical and Emotional Safety, Equality, Solidarity and Peace. 

This is a list of organizations and congregations that are IWCs. 

American Friends Service Committee

Benedictine Sisters

Chicago Community Mennonite Church

Clerics of St. Viator

Congegation Hakafa 

First Unitarian Church 

First United Church of Oak Park

Fourth Presbyterian Church

Holy Covenant United Methodist Church 

Iglesia Bautista Central 

Iglesia Unida

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

Jewish Voice for Peace 

Lake Street Church – Evanston

Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church

Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit

Northminster Presbyterian Church

Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish 

Second Unitarian Church

Showing Up for Racial Justice 

Sisters of Charity BVM

Sisters of Mercy

St. Nicholas Catholic Parish

Su Casa Catholic Worker

Tzedek Chicago 

Unity Temple

University Church

Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ

Congregational/ Organizational Memberships

Christian Peacemaker Teams

Church of the Three Crosses

Claretian Missionaries

Episcopal Charities and Community Services

Glencoe Union Church

Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church

Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ

Pilgrim Congregational Church

Presbytery of Chicago

Sinsinawa Dominicans

SS Peter and Paul Catholic Parish

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish – La Grange

Educational Collaborations

First Unitarian Church

Fourth Presbyterian Church

Third Unitarian Church

Please dowload the following PDF document to learn more about the process of becoming an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation.