RELIGION

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates immigration policy centered on law, love

Jan 30, 2025, 5:39 PM

The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during th...

The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during the 190th Annual General Conference on April 4, 2020, in Salt Lake City. The church addressed a data breach from March in a press release on Oct. 13. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)

(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY  – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Thursday reiterating that its approach to immigration issues is centered on love, law and family unity.

Church leaders shared those principles again with local church leaders in the United States as the nation grapples with securing its border and resetting its immigration and refugee policies.

“As disciples of Jesus Christ,” the church statement said, “the following principles guide the Church’s approach:”

  • “1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints obeys the law.
  • “2. We follow Jesus Christ by loving our neighbors. The Savior taught that the meaning of “neighbor” includes all of God’s children.
  • “3. We seek to provide basic food and clothing, as our capacity allows, to those in need, regardless of their immigration status. We are especially concerned about keeping families together.”

That guidance from church leaders closely mirrors statements they’ve made previously on immigration issues.

The church’s statement directed the leaders of local U.S. Latter-day Saint congregations to comply “with federal laws that criminalize harboring, transporting or encouraging undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States.”

The statement directed local leaders who need additional information to contact the church’s Office of General Counsel, which it said “tracks legal developments to ensure local outreach and area-initiated humanitarian activities are appropriate.”

The restatement of the church’s policies comes after President Donald Trump signed 10 executive orders on immigration during the first week of his second term, ABC News reported.

One halted all refugee entrances into the United States, including religious refugees and those who go through the U.S. refugee resettlement system that thoroughly vets each person, per the Deseret News.

The Trump administration also issued edicts regarding mass deportations and border security, including one that changed generations of U.S. policy: Law enforcement can now make immigration arrests within or near places of worship, per the Deseret News.

Deportations have always been a part of American border enforcement. The U.S. deported 2.9 million people during President Barack Obama’s first term, 1.9 million during Obama’s second term and 1.5 million during Trump’s first term, an analyst told CNN. The analyst calculated that the number of deportations undertaken during President Joe Biden’s term would finish at 1.49 million.

The Trump administration stopped taking appointments for migrants waiting in Mexico to request asylum through the CBP One mobile app, according to the Washington Post.

A Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital that President Trump had set daily arrest goals for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Fox News reported.

The church’s position on immigration and refugees has been consistent.

2010: The Utah Compact

In 2010, the church supported the Utah Compact, a set of five principals to guide immigration debate that included a call for a humane approach: “The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors.”

2011: “The background moral issue”

In 2011, the church issued a statement about immigration. The church outlined its position with three basic principles:

  • Jesus Christ’s commandment to “love thy neighbor.”
  • The importance of keeping families intact.
  • The federal government’s obligation to secure its borders.

“In furtherance of needed immigration reform in the United States, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports a balanced and civil approach to a challenging problem, fully consistent with its tradition of compassion, its reverence for family and its commitment to law,” the statement said.

The church stated that its policy discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas. But church leaders also said the “bedrock moral issue for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is how we treat each other as children of God.”

2015: “Support for religious freedom for all

In 2015, after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country, the church issued a statement that while it is neutral in party politics and election campaigns, it is “not neutral in relation to religious freedom.

Church leaders attached Joseph Smith’s statement that he would stridently defending the religious rights of all believers and a Nauvoo, Illinois, city ordinance he helped pass that codified equal privileges for all churches.

2017: “Meet human needs and relieve suffering”

In 2017, after President Trump banned refugees from seven Muslim countries, church leaders issued another statement:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned about the temporal and spiritual welfare of all of God’s children across the earth, with special concern for those who are fleeing physical violence, war and religious persecution. The Church urges all people and governments to cooperate fully in seeking the best solutions to meet human needs and relieve suffering.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Religion

The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during th...

Tad Walch, Deseret News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates immigration policy centered on law, love

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Thursday reiterating that its approach to immigration issues is centered on love, law and family unity.

13 days ago

The Church Office building of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured in Salt L...

Tad Walch, Deseret News

Church says ‘American Primeval’ misrepresents Brigham Young, calls series ‘dangerously misleading’

The violent Netflix limited series “American Primeval” is dangerously misleading historical fiction, said The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a statement released Friday.

19 days ago

Alex Balint (middle) and Matthew Siliga (right) of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency spea...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out for the Good: Church of Jesus Christ, Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrate 30 years of humanitarian partnership

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church are celebrating 30 years of partnership.

20 days ago

Ellis Ivory, the man tasked by Utah state and religious leaders to revive and restore This is The P...

Erin Cox

After 19 years of service, Ellis Ivory says goodbye to This is the Place Heritage Park

After 19 years of legacy and memories at This is the Place Heritage Park, Ellis Ivory says goodbye to a place he called home.

1 month ago

Some of the thousand attendees of SEEK in Salt Lake City on Jan. 2, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Catholic conference held in Utah for the first time

One of the largest gatherings of Catholics in the world is being held in Salt Lake City for the first time.

1 month ago

Jason Soulier and his wife Jennifer Soulier were serving as leaders of the France Lyon Mission. Jas...

Daniel Woodruff

Family remembers Latter-day Saint mission president who died in France

Family members of a Latter-day Saint mission president from Utah are in shock after he unexpectedly passed away in his sleep over the weekend.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates immigration policy centered on law, love