State of Immigration in America: Salazar, Senior Pastors Warn of Impact on Churches and Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) convened Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Pastor Charles Kuruku, Reverend Paul Marzahn, Reverend Abraham Hernandez, and senior pastors from across the country to address the state of immigration in America and the responsibility facing Congress at this pivotal moment. 

As immigration dominates the national spotlight ahead of the President’s State of the Union address, Rep. Salazar warned that Congress can no longer postpone action. She outlined where the crisis stands today and pressed for immediate consideration of the DIGNITY Act (H.R.4393), legislation designed to restore order, strengthen accountability, protect American workers, and provide a structured path forward grounded in justice, responsibility, and the fundamental dignity shared by all people.

The stakes, she emphasized, extend far beyond politics. With millions of Christian families living in prolonged legal uncertainty and facing potential deportation, continued inaction could result in the largest forced loss of Christianity in American history through the removal of Christians from communities across the nation.

“Today, as Washington turns its attention to the State of the Union, we must confront the state of our conscience,” said Rep. Salazar. “This is not an abstract policy debate. It is parents afraid to bring their children to church. It is pastors watching once-filled pews grow empty. It is families living in prolonged uncertainty, unsure whether tomorrow will tear them apart. If Congress refuses to fix what it knows is broken, the consequences for Christian families and faith communities will not simply be political, they will define the moral character of our nation for generations.”

Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Senior Pastor of 180 Church, who delivered the benediction at President Trump’s inauguration at the U.S. Capitol, emphasized the role of faith leaders in addressing the human impact of immigration policy and the responsibility of the church in navigating complex community challenges.

“As pastors, we support our president as a relates to immigration. We believe that the church is a solution to the complex problems that we faced in our communities as it relates to dignify in deportation,” said Pastor Lorenzo Sewell.


The Impact on Faith Communities: 

Recent reports highlight the broader impact immigration uncertainty is having on faith communities across the country:


• In some immigrant-heavy congregations, church attendance has dropped sharply, in certain cases between 35% and 70% as parishioners fear leaving their homes amid enforcement activity.
  
• Across denominations, 1 in 12 Christians in the United States is undocumented or has a close family member who is.
  
• 1 in 12 Christians is undocumented or has a close family member who is.
  
• As many as 10 million Christians could face deportation under current law.


The DIGNITY Act: A Framework Guided by Biblical Principles


Rep. Salazar emphasized that the DIGNITY Act is grounded in Biblical principles, making it unlike any immigration legislation in American history.

The legislation reflects enduring moral teachings, including:


• Forgiveness
  
• Grace and second chances
  
• Personal responsibility and restitution
  
• Respect for the rule of law

Faith leaders warn that without legislative action, the impact on churches could be profound, destabilizing congregations, separating families, and weakening Christian communities across the nation.

Watch the full press conference here

A Growing National Coalition Backs the DIGNITY Act: 

Momentum behind the Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) continues to grow, with support now coming from over 35 Members of Congress and more than 70 national stakeholder organizations across the country, including most recently the National Association of Manufacturers. This expanding coalition reflects broad, cross-sector recognition that a serious, bipartisan immigration solution is urgently needed.

Supporters represent a wide range of voices from across the American economy and civil society, including employers, veterans, faith leaders, farmers, small businesses, construction and manufacturing industries, higher education organizations, community leaders, and immigrant-serving groups. Together, they underscore the diverse national support behind efforts to restore order to the immigration system, strengthen the workforce, and support long-term economic growth.

The growing list of endorsing organizations includes:

A-1 Global Holdings, American Bakers Association, American Business Immigration Council (ABIC), American Families United, American Latino Coalition, American Legion, Americans for Prosperity, American Seniors Housing Association, Anti-Defamation League, Asian American Christian Collaborative, Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, Bethel Consulting Group LLC, Brick Industry Association, Center for American Progress, Christian Family Coalition of Florida, Cleaning Coalition of America, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Critical Labor Coalition, Essential Workers Immigration Coalition (EWIC), Evangelical Immigration Table, FWD.us, Greater Houston Partnership, IEEE-USA (Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers), Improve the Dream, Jewish Federation of North America, Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, LeadingAge, LIBRE Initiative, Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), MIRA USA, National Association of Evangelicals, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Landscape Professionals, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), National Hispanic Health Foundation, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, National Immigration Forum, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, National Retail Federation, National Roofing Contractors Association, Nisei Farmers League, Niskanen Center, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA), Power Design, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Puerto Rico Builders Association (PRBA), Repatriate our Patriots, Secure Growth Initiative, Small Business Majority, State Business Executives, Steel Tank Institute-Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI-SPFA), Texas Business Leadership Council, Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRIA), Third Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. for Success Coalition, United States Hispanic Business Council, Walroth-Sadurní Law, WERC, World Relief.

Resources:

One-pager on the Dignity Act - click here.

Detailed summary of the Dignity Act - click here. 

Section-by-section breakdown of the Dignity Act - click here. 

For the media kit - click here.

Full text of the bill - click here.