{"id":27141,"date":"2026-05-21T19:53:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T19:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27141"},"modified":"2026-05-21T19:53:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T19:53:45","slug":"new-brethren-rapid-response-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/new-brethren-rapid-response-network\/","title":{"rendered":"A new Brethren Rapid Response Network is organized"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From a Deportation Defense Response release<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy faith compelled me to respond,\u201d one woman states, after in early 2025 seeing the harm of the new administration\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This work involves organizing to respond to crisis situations and provide direct support to those who are at risk of detention. This includes verifying and documenting ICE activity, accompanying immigrants to appointments, providing transportation, offering shelter, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The educator and organizer on the Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response (DDR) team became aware of Brethren pastors and members involved in immigrant rapid response work across the country and organized the Brethren Rapid Response Network. Members connect to share about current issues in their local contexts, offer support and encouragement, ask questions, share advice and resources, and provide spiritual grounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forms of rapid response for the immigrant community vary for different individuals in the network. One woman helped organize and train a local network of people and action groups around her town including people of several faith communities, other community members, and many college students. \u201cOur action groups include a \u2018Ready Response\u2019 network of people ready to accompany, transport, or shelter people under political threat, and a \u2018Rapid Response\u2019 network of people prepared to verify reports of ICE activity and respond, as quickly as possible, to support targeted persons, document, and de-escalate potentially violent situations,\u201d she shares. Within the network there are also groups organizing mutual aid, support to businesses, public actions, and advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some have joined and\/or are leading existing immigration coalitions in various states. In rural areas lacking immigrant support, for example, a couple of Brethren have started county hotlines where people can call to report ICE activity or ask for support in crisis situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One church member attended an event on resisting authoritarianism with a friend, and heard someone from her area share about their work supporting immigrant neighbors. \u201cAs we listened, my friend and I realized this was something we could begin\u201d in the county, she says. With guidance and encouragement from a similar established group, they started reaching out and recruiting others to help and got a rapid response hotline started. \u201cFor me,\u201d she shares, \u201chelping the immigrant community is a faithful expression of loving our neighbors and welcoming the stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In collaboration with groups and individuals in his county, one pastor began a new ministry to immigrant neighbors. They have organized a county rapid response program with a telephone number for people to call for support or reports of ICE activity. The group works to connect folks to resources and information, helps with things like appointment accompaniment and grocery delivery, conducts outreach to local businesses, and more. \u201cICE has been active in our county, tearing apart families and abusing the vulnerable,\u201d he shares. \u201cEven when we don’t have everything figured out, we know that now is the time to do all that we can to protect our neighbors and loved ones from the persecutions of fascism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immigration policies and immigration enforcement tactics are constantly changing, but the folks in the Brethren Rapid Response Network are standing firm. Connected in their communities and with one another across the country, they are ready to respond and faithfully act to protect their immigrant neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— For more about the Deportation Defense Response, an initiative of several Church of the Brethren districts with the denomination\u2019s Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace, go to www.brethren.org\/intercultural\/ddr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n