The Deportation Defense Response (DDR) was initiated by four Church of the Brethren Districts (Atlantic Northeast, Atlantic Southeast, Virlina, and Pacific Southwest), working in partnership with On Earth Peace and the Church of the Brethren Office of Intercultural Ministries, serving congregations in all Church of the Brethren districts during this immigration crisis affecting our brethren.
DDR update
Below is the same video on YouTube and Vimeo. It can be downloaded from Vimeo by clicking the “V” at the bottom right and looking for the download icon below the video.
Walking Together – Marche Ensemble – Mache Ansanm
Links to the “Walking Together” resolution, plus related Bible studies, scriptures, other statements, Messenger articles, and more.
Related News
- Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs on to letter supporting green card holders and resettled refugees
The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has signed on to a letter in support of green card holders and resettled refugees, sent Sept. 30 to the secretary of Homeland Security and to the director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Church is encouraged to recognize National Migration Week on Sept. 21-27
The Church of the Brethren’s Deportation Defense Response Team encourages the church to recognize National Migration Week (Sept. 21-27) and World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sunday, Sept. 27. While this is a Catholic initiative, it is an opportunity for the broader universal body of Christ to stand in solidarity with those who have been displaced.
- Deportation Defense Response Team provides update as termination of TPS takes effect
Our immigrant neighbors and siblings in Christ continue to face excruciatingly difficult times. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was terminated for Haitians at the end of July, and the Haitian community is being targeted. Haitian Church of the Brethren members in Florida have lost the ability to work, are facing significant hardships and uncertainty, and are living in fear.
- Deportation Defense Response Team encourages generous support for Haitian church members
In this time in which many of our Haitian sisters and brothers no longer have valid work permits due to the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, it is more important than ever that the church give generously to the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund. This fund directly supports our Haitian Church of the Brethren members in the US, among others.
- Deportation Defense Response invites participation in World Refugee Day Ecumenical Service
The Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response (DDR) is inviting participation in a World Refugee Day Ecumenical Service taking place online on Wednesday, June 17, 6-7 p.m. (Eastern time).
- ‘Faith in Motion’ live virtual event hosted by Deportation Defense Response Team
“Faith in Motion: Pastor Irv Heishman’s Experience in Honduras” is the first “Faith in Motion” live, virtual event hosted by the Deportation Defense Response (DDR) Team of the Church of the Brethren. The event takes place online on Thursday, June 18, at 7 p.m. (Eastern time).
- A new Brethren Rapid Response Network is organized
“My faith compelled me to respond,” one woman states, after in early 2025 seeing the harm of the new administration’s policies affecting immigrants and other vulnerable people. Many Brethren have felt their faith compel them to respond, too, and like her, have stepped up to lead and become involved with rapid response networks in their communities.
- Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers
The business agenda for the 2026 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has been announced. Along with numerous reports and the ballot, the delegate body will receive an interim report from the Review and Evaluation Committee and will consider four items of new business: resolutions on weapons transfer and care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers, and the yet-to-be-announced recommended COLA for the pastoral scale.
The Immigration Legal and Mutual Aid Fund is a project of On Earth Peace in partnership with the Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Steering Committee.
Intended uses of the fund are to facilitate mutual aid to cover personal and legal expenses related to costs incurred for immigration, asylum, and related application fees (“papers”), immigration-related travel, airline fees, family support when a deportation has occurred, and more.
It is financially administered by the Atlantic Southeast District of the Church of the Brethren.
All funds received are meant to be distributed in accordance with the purposes of the fund.
Learn more about the Immigrant Legal and Mutual Aid Fund.
Donate to the Immigrant Legal and Mutual Aid Fund
Checks may be made out to Atlantic Southeast District with “DDR” in the memo line and mailed to Atlantic Southeast District, 64954 Orchard Dr., Goshen, IN 46526.
To send checks larger than $10,000 and for any other questions contact Beth Sollenberger, Atlantic Southeast District interim director of administration, at atlanticsoutheastcob@gmail.com.
Congregations needing financial help to aid their immigrant church members may apply for grants from the fund by contacting ddrcobcoordinator@gmail.com or 561-647-8981to receive the application form.