Arizona Faith Leaders Stand Up for Immigrant Rights

Religious coalition fights Trump's mass deportation agenda through local policy and community outreach

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:38pm

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Religious leaders with the Valley Interfaith Project (VIP), an interfaith coalition of about 25 member institutions in Maricopa County, Arizona, are advocating for better protections for immigrant communities facing increased ICE enforcement under the Trump administration. The group worked with the city of Phoenix to pass the Community Transparency Initiative, which bars ICE from staging on city property, creates a portal for residents to report civil rights violations, and establishes a 'Know Your Rights' website. VIP leaders also host 'house meetings' to listen to community concerns and organize collective action, focusing on issues like affordable housing, healthcare, and immigration.

Why it matters

As the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement, faith leaders in Arizona are mobilizing to defend their immigrant neighbors and push back against what they see as an inhumane and unjust system. The Valley Interfaith Project's grassroots approach of building relationships, listening to community concerns, and advocating for local policy changes aims to provide tangible protections for undocumented immigrants and their families.

The details

The Valley Interfaith Project (VIP) is an interfaith coalition of about 25 member institutions across Maricopa County, Arizona. VIP leaders like Deacon Judy Eighmy have been advocating for the city of Phoenix to pass the Community Transparency Initiative (CTI), which would bar ICE from operating on city property, create a portal for residents to report civil rights violations, and establish a 'Know Your Rights' website. After hours of testimony from VIP members and other community groups, the Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 to pass the CTI. Now, VIP is turning its attention to working directly with the Phoenix Police Department to address concerns about potential collaboration with ICE.

  • On March 25, VIP leaders testified at a Phoenix City Council hearing in support of the Community Transparency Initiative.
  • On April 5, the Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 to pass the Community Transparency Initiative.

The players

Deacon Judy Eighmy

A leader with the Valley Interfaith Project who delivered emotional testimony to the Phoenix City Council, citing scripture to defend immigrants facing trauma from ICE enforcement.

Pastor Rock Fremont

The Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ and a VIP member who has been involved in various local political initiatives, including fighting for affordable housing and protecting immigrant communities.

Veronica Ojeda

A VIP leader and parishioner at St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit parish and school, who helps organize 'house meetings' where community members can share their concerns.

Beatriz Arias-Cisneros

A member of the Valley Unitarian Universalist congregation and a leader with VIP who believes it's important to continue developing opportunities for people to better themselves, as the U.S. is a nation of immigrants.

Valley Interfaith Project (VIP)

An interfaith coalition of about 25 member institutions in Maricopa County, Arizona, that advocates for better living conditions and defends immigrant communities.

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What they’re saying

“Surely Christ would weep if he saw our families being traumatized by these inhumane experiences.”

— Deacon Judy Eighmy, VIP Leader

“That's part of living out the golden rule, which is a perennial truth—care for neighbor. How are we loving each other? How are we being forgiving, more merciful, more loving individuals? That's what it means to be a person of faith, and that's a perennial value.”

— Pastor Rock Fremont, Senior Pastor, Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ

“We have roundtables and people get to share what their concerns are. There's people that were able to afford health care last year and now, this year, they're debating, 'do I cross the border to go get my healthcare?' These are concerns that the communities are bringing up.”

— Veronica Ojeda, VIP Leader and Parishioner, St. Francis Xavier

What’s next

VIP leaders plan to meet with the Phoenix Police Department to express concerns about potential collaboration with ICE, as individuals arrested by Phoenix P.D. are often booked in Maricopa County Jails where ICE has a presence. The faith leaders want to ensure community members feel safe calling the police without fear of ICE involvement.

The takeaway

This story highlights how a diverse coalition of faith leaders in Arizona are using their moral authority and community connections to defend immigrant rights and push back against the Trump administration's harsh immigration enforcement tactics. By organizing grassroots efforts, advocating for local policy changes, and building trust with their congregations, these religious leaders are providing a vital counterweight to the federal government's crackdown on undocumented immigrants.