Joint Statement: The Church Cannot Remain Silent on Racial Profiling
September 9, 2025
Dear Justice Seekers,
The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to name and resist the powers of evil that harm our communities. The Church is a living mosaic of God’s creation—expressed in the beauty of diverse languages, cultures, ethnicities, abilities, genders, and more. Each is a sacred gift of God to the world.
When any part of God’s divine image is demeaned because of language, accent, skin color, or difference from white dominant culture, we cannot remain silent. With deep concern for our neighbors, we must name the recent Supreme Court decision in Noem v. Perdomo (issued September 8, 2025), which lifted a restraining order that had prohibited ICE agents from stopping or detaining individuals in Los Angeles solely on the basis of four factors—apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish or English with an accent, work location (e.g., day-labor sites), or type of work (e.g., low-wage labor).
This ruling is not simply a matter of policy; it grants license for racial profiling. It sanctifies discrimination. It weaponizes our God-given Imago Dei as a tool for exclusion and erasure.
This ruling deepens fear among those whose first language is not English, whose accents are noticeable, and whose very appearance, workplace, or attire may now be used by agents as a pretext for questioning. It forces entire communities to live under the constant threat of harassment without cause. People become targets for scrutiny simply for existing. This decision opens the door for racism to be practiced as a permissible action—a reality Justice Sotomayor warned against with her words: “papers, please.”
This is yet another step toward what can only be described as ethnic cleansing in the United States. As United Methodists, we stand against racial profiling and all forms of systemic racism. Our Book of Resolutions (Resolution 3329) makes clear: we are called to hold law enforcement accountable whenever they perpetuate injustice.
We commit to joining with others in the ongoing fight for justice in a society that too often divides and dehumanizes. We will continue to name racism when we see it. We will continue to educate our church. And we will continue to stand on the biblical call to right relationship with God and one another—relationships marked by Love, Grace, Equity, Justice, Respect, and Mutual Accountability.
¡Sí se puede! Yes, we can!
Grace and peace,
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo
General Secretary
General Commission on Religion and Race
Bishop Julius C. Trimble
General Secretary
General Board of Church and Society
Sally Vonner
General Secretary
United Women in Faith
Rev. Jeff Campbell
General Secretary
Discipleship Ministries
Resources for Action
Faithful witness requires both learning and action. We encourage you to explore the following resources from our United Methodist partners and use them to deepen understanding, spark conversation, and inspire faithful engagement:
Immigration Justice Resources from General Board of Church and Society
Racial Justice Time Line from United Women in Faith
Book: Immigration and the Bible: A Guide for Radical Welcome by Joan M. Maruskin