The Colorado Clergy Alliance was one of 88 faith organizations and 377 faith leaders who signed the below letter on ICE killings and detention conditions. On August 18, 2026, this letter was sent by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition to Congressional leaders: Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Minority Leader Church Schumer.
Dear Congressional Leaders,
As 377 faith leaders and 88 faith organizations from many traditions, we join together in this statement to express outrage regarding the recent ICE killings in Texas and Maine. In Houston,Texas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a beloved resident and father who was on his way to work on July 7 in the city’s East End. On July 13 in Biddeford, Maine, ICE also shot and killed Johan Sebastián, a 25-year-old husband and father of a three-year-old daughter. He was a Colombian national with work authorization, and media reports confirm that he was not the intended target of the ICE enforcement operation. These deaths are part of a deeply concerning pattern: federal immigration officials have shot and killed 22 people since January 2025, and 2026 is on pace to be the deadliest year ever at ICE detention centers.
Together we mourn these great losses and express remorse for a society that has grown far too accustomed to fatal immigration enforcement encounters. Throughout our sacred texts, there are clear truths we are called to hold that include loving and caring for our neighbors and refraining from harming others.
Due to a lack of oversight, training standards, and guardrails, the brutal tactics of federal immigration enforcement have continued, resulting in serious injuries and deaths of citizens and non-citizens alike. The administration’s mass deportation tactics and detention conditions have reached a deeply alarming level. Hunger strikes have emerged in detention facilities, families are being detained, children are afraid to attend school, and immigration enforcement activity is increasingly occurring in places that should be protected and safe, including houses of worship and hospitals.
As faith leaders and organizations, we have the moral responsibility to speak out against such atrocities and to demand full accountability, an independent investigation, and the immediate release of all evidence or video footage surrounding the shootings. Additionally, we call on the U.S. Congress to oppose additional funding to ICE and Border Patrol and to support efforts to reallocate the $210 billion in unchecked, supplemental funding that these agencies have received over the last two years. Instead, taxpayer funds should be used to provide things like food aid and medical care, resources that were stripped from our communities by the passage of last year’s H.R. 1 bill, which severely cut the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.
As people of faith, we believe public funding should go toward caring for our communities, rather than fueling agencies that are killing our neighbors and tearing families apart.
Sincerely,
Organizations
AfterHours Denver
Alliance of Baptists
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Beyt Tikkun: A Synagogue without Walls
Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
BVUUF Immigration Justice Action Team
Capitol Hill United Ministries and the Women's Homelessness Initiative
Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ
Church of the Brethren, Office of Peacebuilding & Policy
Church Women United in New York State
Church World Service
Colorado Clergy Alliance
Colorado Franciscan Justice Circle
Community Spirit United Church of Christ
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Region
Disciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ)
Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
DREAM of Detroit
Edgewood United UCC Racial Justice Team
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Fairlington Presbyterian Church
Faith in Action
Faithful America
First Congregational Church of Williamstown
Franciscan Action Network
Franciscan Justice Circle
Franciscan Justice Circle of Eastern Wisconsin
Franciscan Justice Circle--Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
Franciscan Justice Circle: Central Maryland
Franciscan Justice Circle: Central Virginia
Franciscan Justice Circle: Winston Salem, NC
Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Global Refuge
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, USA-JPIC
Hyattsville Mennonite Church
Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace
Interfaith Immigration Network
Journey With Migrants Mission Partnership, Presbytery of Denver
Juniper Formation United Church of Christ
Justice and Advocacy Ministries at Disciples Home Missions
Kehilla Community Synagogue
Legacy Church
Maine Council of Churches
Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice
Muslims for Just Futures
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Neighbors in Support of Immigrants
NJ Coalition of Religious Leaders
North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)
Order of Lutheran Franciscans
Park Hill Congregational Church, UCC
Pax Christi Hudson Valley
PC(USA) Advocacy and Witness
Peace and Justice Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville
Peace and Social Justice Committee, Christ the Servant Catholic Church
Rio Grande Borderland Ministries
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery
Sisters of St. Francis Sacred Heart Prov
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
SJRAISE
Social Witness and Restorative Justice committee of the Presbytery of the Coastlands
Southern California Franciscan Justice Circle
St. Philip Lutheran Church
T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Temple Emanuel Denver
Texas Franciscan Justice Circle
Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry
The Alliance of Baptists
The Dorothea Project
Twin Cities Metro Franciscan Justice Circle
Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, CT
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
United Church of Christ
United Women in Faith
Washington National Cathedral Sanctuary Ministry
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Trenton, NJ
Youngstown Area Interfaith Prayer Group
Faith leaders
Katie Brown
Sarah Olson
Rev. Nathaniel Mahlberg
Stanley Maticka
Pastor Juliet Bongfeldt
Rev. Michael Mulberry
Immigration Committee Chair Julie Litwin
Organizer Chris Harris
Pastor Dan Robinson
Rabbi Dev Noily
Rev. Caleb Wolf
Chair for Grace UCC Justice and Witness Alice Foltz
Donna Westley
Sr. Rose Therese Nolta
JL Angell
Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra
Joy Nelson
Minister of Word and Service - Deacon Brenda Lussier
Sister SheilaMarie Tobbe
Joanne Tenney
Rabbi Howie Schneider
Rabbi Cat Zavis
Sister Mary Kerins
Rev. and Coordinator Glen Thamert
Megan Bergert
Rev. Yinessa Romero
Sister Christina Fuller
Dr. Brooke Browne
Rev. Dr. Diana Gibson
Anita Cuttler
Rev. Kelly Nieman Anderson
Conference Minister, Rev.Dr.David Long-Higgins
Interfaith Spiritual Director Julie Murray
Rev. Charlotte Frantz
Bonny Bartett
Spiritual Assistant Mary Smith, OFS
Rev. Dr. Andy Stoker
Rev. Diana Linden
Rev. Michael Neuroth
Associate Conference Minister Lisa Hart
Rev. Betty Landis
Todd O’Brien
Connie Schreiber
Dr. Harriet Hamer
JoAnn McCabe
Kaitlyn Myers
Deacon Chris Barrett
Barbara Hanniford
Rev. Sandra John
Seif Saqallah
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Hope-Tringali
Elder Heidi Knudsen
Dr. Diane Krantz
Cantor Sheri Allen
Revered Brother Jeff Brown, OLF
Sister Marie Marie Seay
Co-clerk Virginia Schonwald
Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston
Laura Ferenc
Rev. Anne Richter
Julie Meyers
Professor KathyJ
Mary Smith
Rev. Darrah Bryans
Shannon Campbell
Director, Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins
Rev. Scott Rush
Rev. Andrew Wade
Vestry member Anna Jakubiec
Rev. Rebecca Harrison
Lynn Buffington
Vicar Michael Wallens
Katherine Talcott
Sister Marie Lucey
Vicki McGaffigan
Mary Wylie
Rev. Mark Meeks
Rev. Jeni Hiett Umble
Pat Butler
Rev. Dr. Adam Hange
Co-Chair of Social Justice Council at First Unitarian Society of Denver Tyler Watlington
Tony Winger
Executive for Racial Justice Emily Jones
Director, Mobilization and Advocacy Elizabeth Chun Hye Lee
Ruling Elder Jean Demmler
Rev. Brigette Weier
Rev. Betsy Hague
Catherine Carnahan
Douglas Easton
Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman
Angela Anderson
Kelly McCormick
Ellen Reath
Rev. Thomas deBree
Cathi Hayes
Rev. Dr. Tracy Hughes
Marcia Hall
Jim Lenyo
Ibrahim Delzell Borjigin
Caryn Hanson
Rev. Steve Klemz
Rev. Tom Simbo
Chaplain Hazel Gómez
Deacon Steven Beumer
Anna Creegan
Stephen Webb
Elder Mary Hupp
Rev. Bill Calhoun
Cristina Dixon dePalma-Vega
Cary Mead
Elder Sonya Yeager-Meeks
Caroline Vanstory
Kathy Wark
Rev. Michelle Magee
Ann Williams
Bruce Taylor
Roy van Duivenbode
Celeste Rossmiller
Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray
Sister Denise Curry
Mary Gould
Bibiana Hager
Tom White
Lois Pisanelle-Sheeler
Robin Friesen
Larry Rauh
Brenda Staab
Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper
Ily Holbrook
Rev. Paul Graham
Jodie Monson
Rev. Tina Schramme
Vowed Novice, Order of Lutheran Franciscans Luann Klindworth-Erickson
Board President Paige Rappleye
Linda Draves
Don Fleming
Rev. Bill Calhoun
Elder Celeste Habiger
Phyllis Clerihue
Rev. Dr. David Hogue
Council Member Tricia Huth
President of Board of Deacons Gregory Perkins
Rev. Joy Warren
Amy Swanson
Barbra Whitten
Sharon Miller
Mary Rickenbaugh
Rev. Wayne Laws
Rebecca Huskey
Karen Holcomb-Merrill
Rev. Jonathan Britt
Pastor Jeffery Ogonowski
Patrick Buckley
Theresa Hughes
Pastor Doris Varillas
Rev. Sara Freudenburg
Rev. Dr. Jenny Whitcher
Brother Anthony Zuba
Elder Belinda Passafaro
Rev. Debra Avery
JB Miller
Sister Noella Poinsette
Gerald Van Campen
Rev. Orlando Crespo
Rev. Luis Alvarez
Heidi Thornley
Rev. Jose Arce
Sister Delouise Menges
Rev. Merritt Schatz
Beverly Calhoun
Rev. Shaye Champ-Correll
Brother Daniel Klawitter
Gerald Van Campen
Pastor Dana O'Brien
Cynthia Burton
Rev. Isaac Dunn
Rev. Morgan Fletcher
Rev. Gary Weaver
Rev. Allyson Sawtell
Rev. Carla Ficke
Pastor Logan Robertson
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Scanlon
Rabbi Michael Kengmana
Jenna Banks
Becky Godbey
Co-chair of Social Justice Council Tyler Watlington
Rachel Smith
Rev. Steven Sherman
Grant Banks
Kathy Siegenthaler
Tammy Raymond
Rosemary Harrell
Virginia Kuilema
Matthew Jewett
Terence Lover
Sister Veronica Schweyen
Pastor Omar Coronado
Rev. Wendy Kidd
Beth Rossiter
Stephanie Norton
Karen Hansen
MaryLou Fenili
Rev. Nicole Lamarche
Martin Dickinson
Rev. Juli Wilson-Black
David Winfield
Pamela Zulli
Lynn Poirier
Diane Stephens Hogue
Mary Ann Panarelli
Bonnie Strand
Dorothy Liston
Rev. Dr. Phil Campbell
Shannon Campbell
Lee Boteler
Rebecca Swain
Serving Elder Gary Hughes
Colleen Bryan
Sister Kathryn King
Professor Emeritus Peter Hoffenberg
Rev. Jeni Umble
Doug and Mary Wylie
Your servant Sam-Amin Bailey
Linda Elmore
Jana Mathieson
Brenda Bronson
Z Zinsitz
Elder Kevin Subers
Elder and Clerk of Session Jean Rose
Rev. CJ Valenti
Claudia Russell
Mr. David Engelken
David Taussig
Phyllis Covey
Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler
Rev. Meredith Rogers
Marrton Dormish
Tony Winger
Marilyn Eaton
Carol Coonrod
Deacon Amber Nightingale
Christy Bailey
Rev. Simon Biasell-Moshrefi
Christine Evans-Klock
Rev. Ellen Tanouye
Sister Marie Lucey
Deacon Amy Larsen
Elder Gerry Shambaugh
Susan McIntosh
Pastor Madeleine Guekguezian
Founder and Director - Young Voices of Colorado Jena Dickey
Nancy v. Machin
Jennifer Wayne
Sallie Baker
Bry Brannan
J. V. L.
Rev. Dn. Marilee E Muncey
Nell Bly
Rev. Mac Bellner
Mary Best
Austin Sanctuary Network Board of Directors Peggy Morton
Bishop Gregory Kimura
Revered Canon Anna Carmichael
Rev. Cynthia Lapp
Tia Barnes
Rev. Justin Kelly
Rev. Valerie Showalter
Rabbi CJ Mays
Rosemary Hawkins
Rev. Marissa Galván
Rev. James Moiso
Elaine Bagley
Sister SheilaMarie Tobbe
Kathy Talcott
AJ Cho
Rev. Dr. Nadyne Guzmán
Rev. Raymond Meester
Kathleen Gaskins
Rev. Larissa Romero
Juli Loker
Rev. Laura Auten
James Ohlmann
Lay leader at Boulder Valley UU Fellowship,Lafayette, CO Rex Loker
Rev. Pastora Karen Hernandez-Granzen
Ellen Laverdure
Sarah Kowalchuk
Rev. Maria de Jesus Dixon
Licensed Professional Counselor Margaret Kerrigan
Doug Schmidt
Jean Nuttall
Mike Mattingly
Cathy Rowan
Kimberly Brewer
Wendi Witter
Molly Brown
Sister Rita Heywood
Rev. Ali Bell
Lorraine Wilson
Bettie Grant
Associate Director Alondra Flores
Rev. Kurt Kaufman
Pastor Julissa Alvarez
Virginia Wainwright
Susan Wofford
Rev. Anne Richter
Charles Bruce
Kelye Lotz
Lisa Ashbaugh
Mr. Paul Riederer
Sabrina Harper
Chair Peace and Justice committee Gooitzen van der Wal
Rev. Taylor Dieringer
Synod Vice-President Southwestern Texas Synod Carol Semper
Marsha Bates
Past President Carol Blythe
Moderator Chris Wineman
Lay Preacher Rachael Denny
Rev. Wilfred Reller
Pastor Jeffrey Vamos
Elisa Y
Deacon of John Knox Presbyterian Church Rebecca Tweedle
Harryl Hollingsworth
Michael Hollingsworth
Rev. April Baker
Rev. Lisa Dunson
Michael J. Delvaux
Professor John Kane
Brother W. Michael Guthrie
Professor Jon Singletary
Minister Wendi Singletary
Graciela Conklin
Jill Wildenberg
Rev. Ann Schlossnagle
Carol Ruckel
Rev. Dr. Erin Counihan
Maryl Blackwell
Patricia Greigg
Rev. Laura Bogle
Margaret Stringham
Kris Deni
Rev. Marcia Kipp-Adams
Sister Joanne Clavel
Joseph Julian
Anne Becher
Rev. Doug Mitchell
Rev. Bill Sanders
Kristie Wirth
Philip Duran
Brian Satre
Rev. Jonathan Ytterock
Rev. Kristine Hill
Rev. Allyson Sawtell
Marilynn Ackermann
Mary Ann Collins
Sarah Goldblatt
Howard Amonick
Myrna NA
Kathy J
Becky S
Scott Shabot
Elizabeth Corcoran
Daniel Ward
Carol Warren
James Lamkin
Suzana Fox
Rev. Sandy Blake
Cindy Niblo
Rev. Marranda Major
Rebeca Olmedo
Robyn Rathweg
Jana Everett
Sue Ricker
Elaine Schwach
Retired Pastor Glenn Danz
Deborah Burdett
Rev. Lynn Bozich Shetzer
