Immigration Team

Our mission: While walking the Jesus path, the Creekside Immigration Team (CIT) will provide leadership, in collaboration with our partners, to accompany our immigrant siblings and neighbors seeking asylum; educate ourselves, our congregation and our community about immigration issues; and advocate for just immigration policies at all levels of government.

What Guides Our Work?

As an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation, we have three focus areas for our work with asylum seekers and other vulnerable immigrants:

1. We accompany asylum seekers and other vulnerable immigrants, guided by their needs as they present themselves. This includes finding housing, food, clothing, medical care, legal representation, friendship and much more.
2. We educate ourselves and other Creekside members about the root causes of immigration, as well as current issues at all levels of government that impact immigrants. For example, we have sponsored trips to the U.S./Mexican border, brought in experts to offer educational opportunities, and recommended readings.
3. We organize and provide opportunities for members to advocate for immigrant justice. This includes communicating with governmental representatives at all levels, attending vigils and protests, and more. In all of our work we are guided by and open to what the spirit calls us to do.

Minneapolis Immigrant Allies Coalition

In January 2025, Creekside UCC, in conjunction with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community and Shir Tikva Synagogue, began organizing local faith communities to determine how to support our local immigrant community in light of the election of President Trump. With the barrage of inflammatory statements about immigrants, promises to detain and deport millions of immigrants, and shutting down ports of entry, we urgently felt the need to understand how to effectively accompany our immigrant brothers and sisters in a changing and challenging environment. We called this new group Minneapolis Immigrant Allies Coalition (MIAC).

Since January 2025 this coalition has been meeting twice monthly with leaders from local immigrant groups: MIRAC (Minnesota Rights Action Committee), UNIDOS MN, ICOM (Interfaith Coalition on Immigration), CWF (Conversation With Friends), and local legal organizations including The Advocates for Human Rights, the Binger Center for New Americans, the ACLU, the Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. These meetings keep us informed about the rapidly changing environment for immigrants, the actions these groups are taking, and how we can be supportive.

MIAC encourages congregational members to participate in advocacy opportunities to promote immigrant rights and protection. For those who feel called to participate in supporting our immigrant community through trainings about Rapid Response through UNIDOS or rallies sponsored by MIRAC or vigils led by ICOM contact Diane Haines to receive announcements about when these are occurring.

CIT Finances

CIT’s support for housing, legal fees, educational expenses, transportation and other needs of vulnerable immigrants is provided through the Creekside budget as well as additional donations from members and others in the community. For more information contact Diane Haines.