Left to right: Cricket Hunter, Rev. Linda Theophilus, Daniella Garber, Pastor Jay Eckman

On January 15–16, LAMPa and Lutheran partners joined the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) for its annual convening, hosted by Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The gathering brought together advocates, organizers, service providers, and faith leaders from across the state to reflect on shared work and strengthen collective efforts for immigrant justice.

“As Lutherans, we believe that every person is created in God’s image and held in God’s care,” said Pastor Jay Eckman of Tree of Life Church. “Immigrants are not ‘others’ to fear or fix, but neighbors with whom we share hopes, struggles, and dignity. Standing for fair and just treatment of immigrants is one way we live out that shared humanity. When we help immigrant communities find and use their own voices, we honor the work of God already present among them. And when we speak together in support of welcoming public policies, we practice love of neighbor not only in our personal lives, but in the life we share as a community.”

The Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition is a statewide network of more than 60 member organizations working directly with immigrant communities in 27 counties across Pennsylvania. PIC supports member-led campaigns that advance immigrant rights at the local, state, and federal levels, while also building immigrant civic power through nonpartisan voter registration, education for new citizens, and access to immigration, Know Your Rights, and social services.

This year’s convening took place amid escalating threats to immigrant rights, family unity, and pathways to safety and belonging. Participants reflected on shared work, engaged in collective discussion around PIC’s Statewide Coordinated Plan, and reviewed and voted on additions to the coalition’s legislative platform. The coalition also shared knowledge, skills, and strategies through conference sessions.

“We’re living in a time when harmful policies and rhetoric threaten the dignity and safety of our immigrant neighbors and their families,” said Kate Firestone, PIC Membership Director. “Now more than ever we need people of faith to stand with immigrant communities in doing the important work of bearing witness, building bridges across difference, and calling us back to our shared values so together we can advance justice for all.”

PIC’s State Legislative Platform includes bills such as the Drivers Licenses Bill, which expands access to driver’s licenses for all Pennsylvanians regardless of immigration status; the PA Dream Act, which opens in-state tuition rates for qualifying undocumented students at community colleges and state-related universities; and the creation of an Office of New Pennsylvanians, a proposed department tasked with attracting, retaining, and welcoming immigrants across the state.

“We are so grateful to have partners in immigrant solidarity and safety across the state,” said Cricket Hunter, a member of the Centre County Rapid Response Network. “We are able to do so much more with our tiny all-volunteer organization, and we are able to be more effective because of the generosity of other groups sharing their work and learnings.”

“This, as all big work, requires so many different talents, perspectives, and knowledge bases, and that is certainly what this kind of coalition is for,” said Hunter. “For me, it also requires faith: faith that there are others working where I cannot see them.  Faith that my tiny contribution can matter.  Faith that together, we can be far more than the sum of our parts.  A convening like this gives me glimpses of that synergy, and fans the embers of my faith.  I’m looking forward to seeing faith communities stand more boldly, speaking clearly about the work that they are doing to welcome the stranger, and weave more blessed community.”

For more on the ELCA’s stance on immigration policies, you can read the Social Message on Immigration and the work of ELCA Ammparo.

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We also want to hear from you. If immigration policy or enforcement has affected you or your community, we invite you to share your story with us. Your lived experiences strengthen our advocacy and help shape policy change rooted in real needs. Please email us at LAMPa@lutheranadvocacypa.org, and we will be in touch.

 

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