The Episcopal Church champions and advocates for humane policy towards migrants because of our belief that every human being is a child of God and must be treated with dignity.

In 2007, the Diocese of Iowa resolved to be a Sanctuary Diocese, "committed to granting places of safety for those who have traveled here as immigrants" (Resolution 155-M).

Our ministry with migration, immigration & refugees, including our involvement in the Sanctuary Movement, has deep roots in our faith tradition's commitment to hospitality to the stranger.

Recent News

 
 

This factsheet (last updated January 21, 2025) describes what the protected areas policy was, what laws apply to those areas now, and what steps advocates and communities can take to support immigrants in continuing to access critical community spaces and services.

Important steps for all formerly protected areas: page 3
Recommendations for places of worship: page 5

 
 
“We are aware of the uncertainty, fear and threat you face as migrants, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. We want you to know that you are loved and valued by God and by us. You are not alone.

As members of the Body of Christ, we stand together, reminding our nation of its historic commitments to human rights. We will renew our commitment to live out God’s second greatest commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). We will work to protect inherent dignity and insist on fair, lawful and compassionate treatment of everyone.”
 
 
“Because our true citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven, we are called to transcend the earthly distinctions made among us by the leaders of this world. We must proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is promised to the persecuted and answer Christ’s call to welcome the stranger among us.

This vision of God’s kingdom, this new reality, is the one to which we Christians are pledged in our baptism above any political preference or policy, and to which our church must bear witness through word and deed. This sacred call shapes both our churchwide commitment to stand with migrants and the ministries of congregations across our church who serve vulnerable immigrants and refugees in their communities.”
 
 

Resources

 

General

Liturgical & Small group RESOURCES

Resolutions & Policies

FOR THOSE IN NEED

Sanctuary

Organizations

national

Episcopal Migration Ministries: a ministry of The Episcopal Church and one of nine national refugee resettlement agencies in the U.S.; welcomes refugees, educates communities, and mobilizes congregations to advocate for the protection and rights of all migrants

  • Resources include Bible Studies, Book Discussions, speakers, liturgical and worship, toolkits, and activities

Interfaith Immigration Coalition

Detention Watch Network

National Immigration Law Center

local

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IowaMMJ): a statewide membership-based legal service and advocacy organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices and united with allies; affiliate of the Justice for Our Neighbors network; GILEAD Grant partner organization

Lutheran Services in Iowa’s Immigrant and Refugee Community Services continue to welcome Iowa’s newest neighbors by providing education, family services, and economic development programs to help them get started on their path to citizenship and building a new life in Iowa.

Catholic Charities Dubuque & Des Moines: Catholic Charities works to welcome and integrate immigrants, refugees and asylees, offering critical services to vulnerable populations.

Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa: a voluntary membership network of service providers, government agencies, religious groups, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions that work together to better serve the needs of the growing refugee population in central Iowa. We provide targeted assistance in the areas of health, housing and transportation, interpretation, education, legal, along with advocacy at federal, state, and local government level.

Prairielands Freedom Fund: Funds raised will be distributed to community members in need of legal bond and representation. Bonding out our neighbors detained by immigration and connecting them with lawyers gives them the best chance at remaining members of our community and helps keep families together. Average bail is $5,000 to $7,000.

Iowa Legal Aid: Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans, about topics such as housing, income, benefits or safety, how aging is affecting benefits/debts, disaster relief, and more.

*This resource list is made available by the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa for educational purposes only. The opinions, ideas and advice expressed in these documents do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, nor should they be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.