Every country has a responsibility to ensure secure borders and safety for its citizens.  However, Jewish tradition also advocates for the rights of non-citizens and sees their fair and humane treatment as a test of the moral fabric of a society.  The Torah repeats the admonition 36 times to treat the “stranger” equally, “for you were strangers in the Land of Egypt.” Indeed, for thousands of years, the Jewish people have been displaced, forced to flee persecution, and expelled from nations. This shared history, from the Exodus to the modern day, is a story every generation of the Jewish people has experienced. Even this week, on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we remember the Jewish refugees aboard the St. Louis denied entry to the United States because of anti-immigration policies. Because of this, we have deep empathy for those who may face denied entry, displacement, and deportation and want to ensure that their rights are fully protected.

The list of resources and guidance below is not legal advice but a response to inquiries from our congregations. We encourage each congregation to determine an appropriate course of action in consultation with an attorney familiar with state and local law.

We are continuing to monitor and study the impact of other policy changes and will continue to communicate with our congregations as topics arise. If you have suggestions for policy issues for us to research, please contact Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg.

Signing Up for HIAS Alerts

For more than 130 years, HIAS has advocated for immigrant and refugee rights in the United States and abroad, from a Jewish perspective. Sign up for alerts or learn about advocacy actions.

Providing Staff/Volunteer Guidance on Encounters with ICE 

In its recent order, the current administration revoked the language around avoiding “sensitive areas,” such as schools and houses of worship, in ICE raids. This means that federal immigration agents may visit synagogues seeking information about noncitizens.

You may help your community members learn more about employer and staff rights in the workplace from the National Immigration Law Center.

Helping All Community Members Know Their Rights

There is great concern that these new policies could affect both undocumented immigrants and those in the country with legal status. All residents, regardless of legal status, have civil rights under the American Constitution, including for encounters with law enforcement and immigration officers. Consider sharing ACLU guidance on Constitutional rights with your community.

Learning About Sanctuary Synagogues 

Previous government policies regarded houses of worship as “sensitive areas” and discouraged immigration authorities from conducting their activities in such facilities. The new policies have revoked that designation.

In recent years, congregations of various faiths have declared themselves “sanctuaries.” However, the legal ramifications of becoming a “sanctuary synagogue” are unknown. Congregations should be aware of potential legal implications, including statutes against “harboring” undocumented immigrants. There may also be potential protections for religious institutions under the Religious Freedom Reform Act (RFRA).  State and local laws also vary. Therefore, we recommend consulting with local legal counsel to understand the risks before making decisions on declaring sanctuary status.

For recent updates on this, you can review The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) “Fact Sheet” on Recission of the “Protected Areas Policies.”

For Further Guidance

For further information or assistance regarding these issues, please contact USCJ Chief Movement Strategy Officer, Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg, [email protected], or our General Counsel, Ed Rudofsky, [email protected] / 917-913-9697.

Additional Resources

JCCA’s Employer Guidance on Responding to ICE Raids

JCCA’s Employer Action Plan: ICE Raid Preparedness Checklist

Trump Administration DHS Directive (1/2025)

Biden Administration Guidelines on sensitive locations (10/2021)

Nonprofit Security Grant Program Memo:

We recognize the growing concerns and circulating rumors regarding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) and remain committed to working closely with key partners and congressional champions to ensure the timely distribution of NSGP funds. We are actively working with the Department of Homeland Security to expedite the release of supplemental funding results and to clarify reimbursement timelines.

Where Things Stand:

• Reimbursement Review: FEMA is conducting a review of all NSGP reimbursement requests over the next 30 days. While this has temporarily stopped payments, we are working to ensure organizations receive their funds as quickly as possible.

• Supplemental Funding Progress: The $240 million in additional NSGP funds announced last fall are still under review. The President has directed FEMA and DHS to conduct further assessments before notifying recipients of their funding status and allocation amounts. We are pressing for swift action and expect updates soon.

What This Means for You:

• If you are waiting for reimbursement, from previous years’ NSGP grants, FEMA is currently reviewing all pending requests, and we continue to advocate for expedited payments. Delays in reimbursement have been a longstanding issue, and we are actively working to establish a more efficient and timely process. If you are experiencing significant delays, please reach out to us.

• If you applied for supplemental NSGP funding in October 2024, FEMA has not yet announced award decisions. However, we anticipate updates as early as this week and within the next 30 days. We will share information as soon as it becomes available.

• Timing of the NSGP FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): We anticipate the next NSGP funding opportunity (NOFO) will be released in April or May. Understanding your current funding status will be critical in deciding whether to apply again. Once we have more clarity on this, we will be sure to let you know.

Government Funding Update: The Continuing Resolution (CR) has passed, ensuring federal funding through September 30, 2025. On Friday, the Senate approved the bill, which includes $274.5 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), reinforcing critical investments in community security. While the legislation eliminated all congressional-directed funding programs (earmarks), we are pleased to report that $8.3 million was allocated for the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program (HSAP)—additional details on this program will be provided soon.  If your Earmark request was selected and included in one of the House or Senate Fiscal Year 2025 bills, your project ultimately was not funded. We will keep you informed as soon as we receive any updates on the availability of earmarks for next year.

If you have any questions or specific requests regarding NSGP, please contact Rachel Dembo – [email protected]