New Report Details the Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families
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“One Part of the Body” report finds that 1 in 12 Christians stands to be deported or have at least one family member deported
Contact: wr@pinkston.co
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 31, 2025) – As the Trump administration pursues “the largest deportation in U.S. history,” a new report estimates how increased immigration enforcement could impact Christian households in the United States. The report is jointly produced by groups representing the two largest Christian traditions in the United States, the National Association of Evangelicals and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Refugee and Migration Services, along with the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and World Relief, one of the largest evangelical ministries serving refugees and other immigrants.
The report analyzes the categories of immigrants who could be vulnerable to deportation without any change in law, including those who are unlawfully present but also various categories of immigrants who are currently lawfully present, but whose protections could be — and in some cases shortly will be — rescinded by the Trump administration, including those with parole, Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. From there, the report estimates the share of these populations vulnerable to deportation who are Christians of any theological tradition.
The report finds that, as of the end of 2024, more than 10 million Christians are vulnerable to deportation, accounting for roughly 80 percent of all of those at risk of deportation. Another 7 million U.S. citizen Christians live in the same households as those at risk of deportation. Overall, one out of every 12 Christians in the U.S. — including one out of 18 evangelical Christians and nearly one out of five Catholics — are vulnerable to deportation or could lose at least one family member if the United States government were to deport all of those vulnerable to deportation without any change in law.
The report’s title is a reference to the biblical teaching that all Christians form one body, composed of distinct but interdependent parts, and that when one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it.
Along with the release of the report, a press conference held today included commentary on the report and its ramifications. The following are quotes from leaders who spoke on the call:
Walter Kim, president, National Association of Evangelicals:
“Some immigrants were followers of Jesus long before they came to the United States. Many others have found new life in Christ thanks to the witness of evangelical churches. They are beloved and vital members and leaders of our churches. Mass deportation would inflict deep wounds by tearing apart spiritual as well as biological families. We ask President Trump and Members of Congress to show mercy and provide a way for our hard-working and peace-loving brothers and sisters to earn legal immigration status so they can continue to bless our communities.”
Bishop Mark Seitz, Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration:
“Catholic teaching compels us to accompany those who are suffering. Therefore, this report should motivate every Catholic to demonstrate solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters through prayer, public witness and advocacy. The Church calls on policymakers to pursue immigration reform that is both just and compassionate, recognizing the inherent worth of every human being and protecting the sanctity of families as the foundation of society.”
Myal Greene, president & CEO, World Relief:
“Congress should appropriate enough money to ensure secure borders and to deport immigrants who have been convicted of violent crimes — but not many times more than what’s needed to accomplish those goals. They should not give a blank check to this or any administration to carry out mass detention and deportations that would separate families on a massive scale, would decimate the American church and would send vulnerable people who have not broken any law into horrifying humanitarian crises. And if they are going to do so, they shouldn’t do so in the name of Christianity, because those are not consistent with the values of Jesus.”
Stephanie Gonzalez, a teacher at a Christian school in Southern California whose mother and father were deported earlier this month to Colombia after more than 35 years in the United States:
“The last month has been a nightmare for me and my family, and I know that the deportation of my parents after nearly four decades in the United States is not an isolated case. I appreciate this report drawing our attention, as Christians, to the ways that these policy changes could directly impact a significant share of Christians in the United States, and I’m praying that the church will clearly convey to our elected leaders that we do not want more families to be separated as mine has been.”
Dr. Todd Johnson, co-director, Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary:
“This report comes amid a broader context of Christianity itself having been transformed over the past 100 years. In 1900, 82 percent of all Christians were in the Global North – the economically prosperous region including North America and Europe – but by 2025 that has fallen to 31 percent. Our first ever estimates for 2075 suggest that the share of global Christians in the Global North will by then be only 17 percent. In light of this, one broader question this report poses for Christians in the United States is, ‘As a wealthy, tiny minority of Christians globally, how do we relate to the majority of Christians, many whom face unimaginable challenges in their homelands related to religious freedom, persecution or lack of daily food and shelter?’”
To access the full report, please visit www.worldrelief.org/onepart. To watch a recording of today’s press briefing, click here.