UMC NEWS

Dear Beloved Members of The Florida Conference, Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. This week many celebrated when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the permanent closure of the Everglades Detention Facility. This was the conclusion many United Methodists and other persons of faith hoped for as they held prayer vigils and met with their representatives to encourage closure of a site that was part of a Trump administration effort to ramp up immigration detention and deportation. By contrast, today we find ourselves holding heavy news. The decision by the Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday allows the Trump administration to end humanitarian protections that have permitted foreign nationals fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries to live and work legally in the United States. Today’s ruling specifically impacts people from Haiti and Syria. We have many Haitian persons who are members of our churches and communities. While Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was first offered to Haitians in 2010, Haiti continues to be a dangerous place to live today. The political and social crisis there includes acute food insecurity, gang control of the capital, and political instability. Haitian civilians face extreme danger as armed gangs use violence, extortion and kidnapping to profit from the country’s instability. The International Rescue Committee estimates that over 1,200 people were killed between July-September 2025 alone. It is my hope that our churches will act in ways that will enable those who now face the possibility of deportation to know that they are not forgotten and are not alone. Our shared commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ compels us to stand near to those who are most vulnerable. Jesus consistently drew close to those living on the margins, offering dignity, protection, and love. In Matthew 25, he reminds us that in caring for the stranger, we are caring for Christ himself. This moment calls us to remember that our Haitian siblings are not strangers, but beloved members of our communities. They are our friends, coworkers, church members, and siblings in Christ. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church affirm the sacred worth of every person and call us to welcome the migrant, the immigrant, and the refugee with compassion and justice. This calling is based on nearly 100 scriptures in the Old Testament that command God's people to care for the "immigrant," "sojourner," or "stranger,” protect them from oppression, and include them in community provisions. When we read of policies and decisions of our government and courts, we must consider both their legality and their moral consequence. Sending individuals and families into conditions where their safety and well-being are at risk is a rejection of Jesus’s commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. It also ignores the fact that Haitian persons living under Temporary Protected Status have contributed meaningfully to the life of this nation. They have worked diligently, raised families, served in essential roles, strengthened local economies, and enriched our communities with their gifts and culture. Their presence among us is not a burden, but a blessing. To those directly impacted by this decision, we grieve with you and hold you in prayer. To those walking alongside and advocating for our Haitian neighbors, we give thanks for your witness and courage. There are ways you can aid those who today lost their Temporary Protected Status: Pray faithfully for Haitian families facing fear, uncertainty, and possible separation. Contact elected officials in Congress and urge humane, just treatment for Haitian neighbors. Congress can still provide a permanent solution for those who have had TPS ended if they are willing to act. Help people connect immediately with trusted immigration attorneys or accredited legal representatives. The Florida Immigration Law & Justice Center is a trusted UMC resource. Encourage families to gather important documents, emergency contacts, and records of their time in the United States. Assist parents in making care plans for children, elders, and others who depend on them should they be deported. Offer transportation, meals, childcare, translation, and other practical support. Create or contribute to an emergency assistance fund for legal fees, rent, food, and other urgent needs. Accompany affected families to appointments, hearings, or meetings when possible. Stand publicly against policies that place people in unsafe conditions and speak with compassion and moral clarity. Partner with local churches and community organizations that are already supporting immigrant families. In times of uncertainty, we trust in the God who remains faithful and present to the vulnerable and to those in distress. May we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to show compassion over indifference, courage over silence, and love over fear. In Christ’s service, Bishop Tom Berlin Resident Bishop, Florida Conference The United Methodist Church