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R.I. Religious Leaders Advocate Against ICE Enforcement
Faith leaders discuss their role in supporting immigrant communities amid recent ICE actions in the state.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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Following recent immigration enforcement actions across Rhode Island, religious leaders in the state have taken on a distinct role in advocacy efforts. The Rhode Island State Council of Churches has been holding 'Know Your Rights' trainings and advocating for immigration protections, while individual faith leaders have attended rallies, provided pastoral care, and spoken out against detentions on religious property.
Why it matters
Religious leaders in Rhode Island are leveraging their moral authority and community connections to support immigrant communities facing increased ICE presence and enforcement in the state. Their advocacy efforts aim to uphold values of religious freedom, tolerance, and compassion that are central to Rhode Island's founding.
The details
The Rhode Island State Council of Churches, along with local churches, is providing meals, housing, and legal support to individuals without asking for paperwork, as well as challenging the revocation of protections that prevent immigration officers from entering schools, hospitals, and churches. Faith leaders like Rabbi Preston Neimeiser and Reverend Jeremy Langill are attending rallies, offering pastoral care, and using the 'language of faith' to articulate a moral case against ICE's actions. They believe it is their responsibility as religious leaders to speak out against injustice and advocate for a government that upholds the founding values of religious freedom and tolerance.
- Last month, thousands of Rhode Islanders gathered at the State House in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- In November, Pope Leo XIV and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned aspects of the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts.
The players
Preston Neimeiser
A rabbi at Temple Beth-El in Providence who believes faith leaders have a responsibility to speak out against injustice and advocate for a government that upholds the founding values of religious freedom and tolerance.
Jeremy Langill
The executive minister for the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, which has been holding 'Know Your Rights' trainings and advocating for immigration protections in the state.
T.J. DeMarco
A pastor at Providence Presbyterian Church who believes it is important for faith leaders to 'pay attention, to learn and to build relationships' with members of other faith groups and communities to support people across the state.
Rhode Island State Council of Churches
An organization that has been holding 'Know Your Rights' trainings, advocating for immigration protections, and providing meals, housing, and legal support to individuals without asking for paperwork.
Pope Leo XIV
The Pope who, along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, condemned aspects of the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts in November.
What they’re saying
“We can provide the language of faith as a comprehensive articulation of what God wants from us in this moment and what we owe to one another.”
— Preston Neimeiser, Rabbi at Temple Beth-El in Providence (The Brown Daily Herald)
“We have a really clear gospel mandate to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. That means that when we show up for people, that we're showing up rooted in love, rooted in compassion and seeking conversation and understanding.”
— Jeremy Langill, Executive Minister, Rhode Island State Council of Churches (The Brown Daily Herald)
“Right now, it is important for us to get to know each other.”
— T.J. DeMarco, Pastor, Providence Presbyterian Church (The Brown Daily Herald)
What’s next
The Rhode Island State Council of Churches, along with other local churches, is continuing to provide meals, housing, and legal support to individuals without asking for paperwork, and is also advocating for the passage of state laws that aim to minimize the impact of ICE on immigrant communities.
The takeaway
Religious leaders in Rhode Island are using their moral authority and community connections to advocate for immigrant rights and challenge the federal government's immigration enforcement actions, upholding the state's founding values of religious freedom and tolerance.
