{"id":8732,"date":"2026-05-20T15:21:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=8732"},"modified":"2026-05-20T15:21:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:21:43","slug":"public-witness-and-for-profit-immigration-detention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/public-witness-and-for-profit-immigration-detention\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Witness and For-Profit Immigration Detention"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As immigration detention surges across the United States, the private companies building and running immense detention facilities are reporting record profits.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/06\/04\/nx-s1-5417980\/private-prisons-and-local-jails-are-ramping-up-as-ice-detention-exceeds-capacity\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nearly 90%<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of people in\u00a0U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)\u00a0custody are held in private, for-profit facilities \u2013 which have been\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/06\/05\/nx-s1-5413364\/concerns-over-conditions-in-u-s-immigration-detention-were-hearing-the-word-starving\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">accused<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of overcrowding, unsanitary and unsafe conditions, and limited access to family, legal\u00a0counsel\u00a0or religious expression.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many\u00a0of us hold\u00a0the command of\u00a0Deuteronomy 10:19 in our hearts: to love the stranger. Showing this teaching in our daily individual and communal lives takes\u00a0many\u00a0forms.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #333399\">New Immigration Detention Resource<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.elca.org\/advocacy\/public-witness-and-for-profit-immigration-detention\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-8780 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1-200x300.png\" alt=\"Text over barbed wire reads, &quot;Public Witness and For-Profit Immigration Detention.&quot;\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1-250x375.png 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1-233x350.png 233w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-resource-1.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A new resource from\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elca.org\/how-we-serve\/elca-in-society\/witness-in-society\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ELCA Advocacy<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elca.org\/how-we-serve\/relief-and-development\/ammparo\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ELCA AMMPARO<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is titled:\u00a0&#8220;You Shall Also Love the Stranger:\u00a0Public Witness and For-Profit Immigration Detention.&#8221;\u00a0It\u00a0includes a brief history of immigration detention in the United States, a guided Bible study with questions for reflection, and concrete action steps for those interested in\u00a0taking action to ensure\u00a0safety and due process for all.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Check out\u00a0\u201cYou Shall Also Love the Stranger:\u00a0Public Witness and\u00a0For-Profit Immigration Detention.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Download\u00a0from the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.elca.org\/advocacy\/public-witness-and-for-profit-immigration-detention\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ELCA Resource Center<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Consider attending the\u00a0webinar\u00a0\u201cEngaging as People of Faith Amid Rise in For-Profit Immigration Detention\u201d on Wed., June 24 from 1-1:30\u00a0p.m.\u00a0Eastern\u00a0(with an optional extended Q&amp;A session afterwards).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ELCA leaders will share reflections on this contemporary challenge, including\u00a0Tracey DePasquale, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania; Kate Parsons, ELCA Program Director for Migration; the Rev. Kaari Reierson, ELCA Program Director for Corporate Social Responsibility; and the Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, ELCA Director for Theological Diversity and Engagement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Register from\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/ELCAwebinarForProfitDetention\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/ELCAwebinarForProfitDetention<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_arLlyc6lSkGZ8O1ikNURoQ#\/registration\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-8779\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar-200x300.png\" alt=\"Promotional graphic for a webinar on faith and immigration detention scheduled for June 24, 2026.\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar-250x375.png 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar-233x350.png 233w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2026\/05\/260519blogforprofitimmdet-webinar.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>Here\u2019s\u00a0a preview of contents of the resource:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW50836857 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW50836857 BCX8\">The Issue and a Lutheran Lens \u2013 including<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW50836857 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How did we get here?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children in detention<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW152556753 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152556753 BCX8\">ELCA social teaching on private prisons and detention<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW152556753 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bible Study \u2013 including<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\">Prayer<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW130585277 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW130585277 BCX8\">Reflecting on Hebrews 13:2 and other verses<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW130585277 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW112392199 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW112392199 BCX8\">Biblical challenges and private migration detention<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW112392199 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213527322 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213527322 BCX8\">What Can You Do? \u2013 including<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW213527322 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Take your money out of private immigration detention\u00a0centers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ask institutions not to invest in\u00a0detention.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW45036017 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45036017 BCX8\">Join\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW45036017 BCX8\">neighbors calling<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45036017 BCX8\">\u00a0for no private detention in your\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45036017 BCX8\">backyard.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW45036017 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%2.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,4],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%2.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW132900235 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW132900235 BCX8\">Advocate for people in private detention nationwide<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW132900235 BCX8\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #333399\">Recognizing the Humanity of Our Neighbors<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over and over again, the Bible challenges us to see the face of God in the prisoner, in the stranger, in someone who is\u00a0hungry or ill\u00a0or needy. When we treat\u00a0people in detention\u00a0as\u00a0if they have no humanity and do\u00a0not bear the face of\u00a0God\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0we ignore that challenge. In\u00a0recognizing the humanity of our neighbors, we connect with the grace that God shows us \u2014 we bear witness to the love of Christ with each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As immigration detention surges across the United States, the private companies building and running immense detention facilities are reporting record profits.\u00a0Nearly 90%\u00a0of people in\u00a0U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)\u00a0custody are held in private, for-profit facilities \u2013 which have been\u00a0accused\u00a0of overcrowding, unsanitary and unsafe conditions, and limited access to family, legal\u00a0counsel\u00a0or religious expression.\u00a0\u00a0 Many\u00a0of us hold\u00a0the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":316,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1400],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - 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