As Fear Rises in Immigrant Communities, United Methodists Try to Help

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Holston Annual Conference | February 21, 2025

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Key points:

  • Hispanic leaders in Holston Conference say their immigrant neighbors are living in fear of deportation, even if they have legal documents to live in the U.S. 
  • Some citizens are harassing immigrants because they resent their presence or mistakenly believe they are criminals.
  • United Methodists are trying to find ways to support their immigrant pastors and communities.

MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- Hispanic pastors in Holston Conference are on the front lines of trying to comfort community members who are afraid of U.S. immigration officers – or in some cases, afraid of their own neighbors.

Some of the people who live in fear of deportation or harassment are United Methodist church members. Some are people who don’t attend a United Methodist church, but they trust and reach out to the United Methodist pastor in their community. Some may be documented non-citizens or even citizens of the United States – yet they are still afraid.

“People are still concerned, even people who have papers. They are afraid the government will take their residency away,” said the Rev. Daniel Castillo, pastor of Roca Eterna, Broadway United Methodist Church, Maryville, Tennessee.

Over the last month, the Trump administration’s promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and news of multiple arrests have raised anxiety levels particularly in communities of color, according to leaders of Holston Conference’s Hispanic-Latino ministries. Pastors and other United Methodists are searching for ways to help and support their immigrant neighbors.

“My concern is, what information can we give to the families?” said the Rev. Felix Perez-Alvarez, pastor of Rios de Agua Viva, Panther Springs United Methodist Church, Morristown, Tennessee. “To provide the information that the families need is the calling of the church.”

At Roca Eterna, Castillo has printed 1,000 “Know Your Rights” cards to share, so that neighbors will know how to respond if they are questioned by local police or federal immigration enforcement. Castillo has also applied to become a Notary, so he can help parents prepare legal documents for their children’s care, in case they are detained or deported.

"This kind of conversation, it breaks my heart,” Castillo said, explaining the conversations parents are having with their children in the event they do not return home someday.

Moises Martinez is youth director of Abingdon United Methodist Church and financial administrator for Holston’s Clinch Mountain District. He is a native of Mexico with a Green Card to live and work permanently in the U.S.   

With a wife and young child who are U.S. citizens, Martinez says he is frightened by reports that immigrants with documentation have been swept up in mass raids along with undocumented immigrants.  

“At the end of the day, I’m not a citizen,” Martinez said. “Rules are not always followed and can be broken, and there is not a clear path as to what can be done. It scares everybody from any country.”

Perez-Alvarez said he recently tried to comfort an eight-year-old boy who asked, “Pastor, what happens if they take my father?”

“They’re scared,” said Perez-Alvarez. “I told him, ‘That’s why I’m here. Come on, I will cover you.'”

Castillo and Perez-Alvarez are pastors of two of Holston Conference's Spanish-speaking congregations. Currently, there are three Hispanic congregations in Holston, including a mix of persons from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Cuba, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Roca Eterna in Maryville has about 50-60 worshippers. Rios de Agua Viva in Morristown has 40-60. 

The United Methodist Church is clear on its stance regarding immigrants. According to the Social Principles, the church affirms “the dignity, worth and rights of migrants, immigrants and refugees, including individuals who’ve been displaced.”

The United Methodist Book of Resolutions states: “To refuse to welcome those who are migrants to this country -- and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the migrant community in the United States is demonized by members of Congress and the media -- is complicity to sin.”  

An "Immigration Rights FAQ” on the Holston Conference website suggests actions church leaders can take to help their immigrant neighbors. “This guidance, while designed to protect our ministry, is not meant to obstruct or interfere with law enforcement activity,” according to the document.

The suggested actions include seeking advice from experienced immigration attorneys or nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the immigrant community. These organizations include:

The United Methodist Book of Resolutions also suggests ways United Methodists can take action in the U.S.

A coalition of Holston Conference leaders and teams are organizing a response to current immigrant-related concerns that will include education, advocacy, and direct help, according to Mary Ellis Richardson, chair of the Church and Society Committee.

In the meantime, United Methodists can work individually to counter some of the hardships imposed on immigrants by persons who resent their presence or mistakenly believe they are criminals. Castillo cited an example of a person who called the police on one of his church members. The church member was not breaking the law but was just washing her clothes in the laundry mat.

“The rhetoric now helps people feel empowered to do things and say things to others,” Castillo said. Misinformation spread through social media is also a problem, causing immigrant families to be afraid to go to grocery stores or send their children to school.

“It’s Christianity 101, really. Be as welcoming as you can to the people you see out in our communities. Give folks a smile. Treat people like you would like to be treated,” says Michael Feely, a longtime advocate for Hispanic ministries and former chair of Holston’s Hispanic Ministries Team. (Current chair is Perez-Alvarez.) 

Look for ways to support the immigrant community, such as volunteering to read to children at school, Feely said. Donate money to nonprofits that assist immigrants, especially nonprofits currently experiencing pauses in federal grant support. Be ready to connect persons in need with resources.

“Every United Methodist church should have the ‘know your rights’ flyers available in both English and Spanish to help people we know in our communities,” Feely said. (Resources provided below.)

Kacye Castenir, a Roca Eterna member and language interpreter at many Holston Conference events, suggests taking fruit to immigrant families or offering to drive them to the grocery store when they are afraid. Churches could offer their laundry facilities to immigrant neighbors or help them pay attorney fees.  

Both Castillo and Castenir suggested that churches reach out to Holston’s Hispanic congregations to offer their support during a difficult time.

“There are people scared that if they come to church, there’s going to be an immigration raid,” said Castenir. “But what if the Body of Christ came together and stood up for our immigrants? … What if they stood at the door of the church with us to say, ‘You are an important member of our family, and we love you so much that we’re willing to be here to support you and literally walk with you.’”

Holston Conference includes United Methodist churches in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and North Georgia, with main offices in Alcoa, Tennessee. Sign up for a free email subscription to The Call.

"Know Your Rights" resources

Immigration Law & Justice Network

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors

Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights

See also:

Church advocates for at-risk immigrants (UM News, 2.14.2025)

United Methodists join suit against Trump policy (UM News, 2.11.2025)

Annette Spence is editor of The Call, the Holston Conference source of news and stories from which this article is republished with permission.