WASHINGTON, DC — Dignity, grace, safety, and respect for each and every human being. These are not just moral values. They are values common to every faith tradition — whether we identify as Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i, or any other religion or tradition practiced around the world. These values come across in how we live our faith, designate federal funds, and advocate to improve public policy. On immigration, these values lead us to recognize that every person has unique life circumstances, challenges, and gifts, and that families are the core of our society.
Now, President Trump wants to require many people who are applying for green cards (a.k.a. lawful permanent residency) to first leave the United States, effectively erasing more than seventy years of law, and is attempting to do so without approval from Congress. This abrupt change in policy and practice would harm U.S. citizens, family members, and others with deep roots in our communities.
On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum (PM-602-0199) that completely changes the process to receive a green card for many applicants living in the United States. While the Trump administration presented this memo as a “reminder” about existing law, it is actually a profound change that will leave many people who have a legal right to apply for a green card separated from their families and stranded outside the United States, unable to access the lawful permanent residency status Congress intended them to obtain.
Following are quotes from faith leaders about this announcement. To interview them or others, contact [email protected].
Ann Graber Hershberger, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
“The values of hospitality and people-to-people connections are central to our Anabaptist Christian faith, driving our work to end discrimination and the unfair treatment of migrants and displaced peoples, no matter where they call home. This policy will have devastating impacts on families and communities. As immigrants follow longstanding legal processes to seek or adjust status to obtain a green card, they should not encounter new roadblocks or be shut out of the process entirely.”
Fran Eskin-Royer, Executive Director, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
“The United States government has announced — without congressional action or federal rule-making — that it intends to constrain the green card application process, placing lawful, legal residents at risk of being forced to leave the United States and wait an undetermined length of time for their cases to proceed. How will the federal government suddenly be able to process these cases efficiently and in a timely manner? Imagine leaving your families behind; forced into a now unfamiliar country with no means to support yourself; now at the mercy of two governments. How’s that going to work out? NAC calls on the Trump administration to rethink and rework its plans, and remember that the United States of America is the land of opportunity and welcome. It is an honor to be the destination of choice; let us show some mercy and gratitude. Then we will flourish together.”
Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, President and Lead Executive Officer, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
“Once again, this administration showed blatant disregard for the consequences of its actions, throwing thousands of lives into turmoil for the cruelest of reasons. Nothing could be further from the religious and spiritual ideals held widely in this nation. Unitarian Universalist values and other faith traditions teach us that no one is disposable. Every person, including families in migration here in the U.S., deserves safety, peace, and dignity.”
Sister Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director of Franciscan Action Network
“With other people of faith, we Franciscans believe in the dignity of every person, and we value hospitality, welcome, and rights of people to migrate and to apply for a green card. The policy memorandum issued by USCIS is counter to these values and shows total disregard for people and legal processes. We have a particular concern for religious workers serving in Catholic and other faith organizations. If enacted, this policy memorandum would separate families, disrupt thousands of lives, and interfere with the humanitarian work of organizations relying on religious workers from countries outside the United States. We urge the administration to respect many decades of effective law and to call for public comment before any changes are made.”
Giovana Oaxaca, Senior Government Relations Manager, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, and Co-Chair, Interfaith Immigration Coalition
“At NETWORK, where we are inspired by the Catholic Social Justice tradition, we believe that public policy should be measured by its respect for human dignity and its impact on families. Making such a sweeping change behind closed doors, without public comment, dismisses the real and painful struggles people face on their path to a green card. For decades, this policy has offered a foundation for families to build their lives. Now, parents and children of U.S. citizens, religious workers, and many others could be compelled to leave the country just to continue their green card process. Adding red tape and tearing families apart is misguided and harmful.”
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The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is a partnership of 56 faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect. Coalition members work together to advocate for just and equitable immigration policies, educate faith communities, and serve immigrant populations around the country.