We, the delegates to the 219th General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, acknowledge the truth that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1). We are called and commanded to love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10) and show hospitality to foreigners and prisoners (Hebrews 13). Therefore, we denounce the immigration policies of any government that treats people as less than human.

  As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot remain silent when the U.S. government:

• utilizes racial profiling,

• detains without proper judicial warrants,

• arrests and deports without due process,

• practices cruel and inhumane treatment (including, but not limited to, deprivation of adequate food, sanitary facilities, and medical care),

• subjects anyone to physical, emotional, or mental assault,

• separates children from families,

• engages in third country deportations,

• operates mass detention centers,

• and transfers individuals as a means of inhibiting legal counsel and preventing family contact.

We confess and lament our role in supporting such a system and recognize any and all such actions as sin. “The church as the possession of God must stand where the Lord stands, namely against injustice and with the wronged…. in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerful and privileged who selfishly seek their own interests and thus control and harm others” (Belhar, Art. 4).

Mid-Hudson Classis’ statement on separation of children from families at the border (adopted in 2018) can be found here.

More information on General Synod 2026 can be found at rca.org