Letter to ICE Agents & Employees

Letter from Connecticut Religious Leaders to Agents & Employees of ICE

INTERRELIGIOUS WITNESS: OUR URGENT CALL FOR REPENTANCE

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
Hartford Immigration Court, Abraham Ribicoff Building (outside)
450 Main Street, Hartford, CT

“Shout out. Do not hold back. Lift up your voice.” Isaiah 58:1

As a matter of faith and in defense of the humanity of all residents of CT, leaders of faith across the state will join together to denounce the violence of ICE and Border Patrol, to call for those Federal agents perpetrating violence in our communities to reconnect with their hearts, and to advocate for the “loosening of the bonds of injustice.”

In this time as faith communities mark holy days – Ramadan for Muslims, Ash Wednesday and Lent for Christians, and Purim and soon Passover for Jews – we hold in common our commitment to the sacredness and dignity of all persons, to the power of nonviolent love, and to the pursuit of justice and liberation.

Together we will raise our voices in prayer and in song. We will issue a call for repentance and returning to love of our neighbors. And we will mark that call with the sharing of ashes and other visible signs of our mutual commitment to human dignity and liberation.

Organized by the newly formed Connecticut Interreligious Witness. For more information, contact: the Rev. Allie Perry, allie.perry@gmail.com, 203-215-2613.

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Letter To Be Presented at the Interreligious Witness on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

To all of the agents and employees of ICE:

We represent a broad coalition of religious leaders of various faith traditions. This is a letter written in love; it is a letter written out of concern for you. It is a letter written out of concern for all of us.

We have seen your helmets and your masks. We have seen your mirrored sunglasses and the body armor you use to conceal any identifiable human feature of your bodies.

So too, we have seen your weapons, sometimes pointed at us, and at those we care about. We have observed the terror you have brought to the communities we serve, and indeed, the terror you have sown in communities all across the country. We have observed the tactics you have used to disappear mothers and fathers into a system of labyrinthine prisons and camps. We have seen what you have done to children. We have observed the cruelty you have visited upon ordinary U.S. citizens who dare to speak out or to criticize you.

Most chilling of all, we have observed the execution of individuals who have defied you.

And we wonder: Who are you who hide behind those masks? What life experiences have brought you to a place where you are willing to inflict this kind of trauma and pain on other people, to visit terror upon your neighbors?

And we wonder about the sort of pain you must carry as a result of what you are now being asked to do.

As religious leaders, we have worked with victims of trauma and also with those who have inflicted it, the abused and the abuser alike. And we have learned that the one who inflicts pain is usually in pain. So too we have learned that no one walks away unscathed after inflicting harm upon another.

We know that you were made for more than this. Your lives are worth far more than the degradation to which you now submit.

We are now entering a season of repentance and renewal among several religious traditions. This week, Muslims begin fasting for Ramadan. Christians are marking Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, walking a sacred path to Easter. And for Jews, today is the beginning of the month of Adar, during which Purim takes place, celebrating the overturning of evil decrees, and soon Passover will be here, festival of freedom.

Each of these religious traditions urges its adherents to reflect on where they are headed, to return to God, to each other, to their best selves. And they all affirm the need and the opportunity for all human beings to correct course and amend our ways, knowing that we all can fall short of the dignity and humanity that we have been
granted.

Now is the time for turning. Now is the time for returning. It is not too late. We ask you to lay down your arms. We invite you to open your arms to the love you were meant to have, to the love you were meant to be.

With a commitment to our shared humanity…

Reverend Alison Hager, West Avon Congregational Church, Avon

Nancy Janiszewski, Spiritual Director, Avon

The Rev. Christopher Solimene, Avon Congregational Church, Avon

Sister Mary Jude, Sister of charity, Baltic

Ali A. Antar, PhD, Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Berlin

Reza Mansoor, MD President, Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Berlin

Rabbi Debra Cantor, Neshama Center for Lifelong Learning, Bloomfield

Mary Espinosa, Spiritual Director, Bloomfield

Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, First Church in Windsor, UCC, Bloomfield

Rev. Shawn R. Fisher, Bloomfield Congregational Church, Bloomfield

Sister Carmela Garofalo, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Bloomfield

Rev. Donna K Manocchio, United Church of Christ, Bloomfield

Rev. David Roones, Bloomfield Congregational Church, Bloomfield

Bishop Peter A. Rosazza, Roman Catholic, Bloomfield

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wright, ELCA, Bloomfield

Rev. Margret Hofmeister, Southern New England Conference, UCC, Branford

Rev. Rachel P. Mastin, PC(USA), Branford

Sr. Mary Anne Foley, CND, Collaborative Center for Justice, Bridgeport

Rev. Cass L Shaw, The Presbyterian of Southern New England, Bridgeport

Rev. Kurt Saenger-Heyl, Trinity Lutheran Church, Centerbrook

Rev. Dr. Eileen Sypher, Chester

Rev. Ernest Harris, UCC, Colchester

Rev. Lauren Ostrout, Colchester Federated Church, Colchester

The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers, Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Collinsville

Reverend C. Johnson, Diamond Hill United Methodist Church, Cos Cob

Rev. Dr. Susan Prichard, United Church of Christ, Coventry

The Rev. Dr. Ralph Ahlberg, First Church of Christ (UCC) Redding, Cromwell

Rev. Richard Cudmore, chaplain, Covenant Living, Cromwell

Rev. Paul Bryant-Smith, King Street United Church of Christ, Danbury

Rev. J. Michael Cobb, The United Methodist Church of Danbury, Danbury

Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury and the Connecticut Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Ministry, New Haven/Danbury

Rev. Yana J Cruz-Pagan, The Cornerstone Baptist Church, Danielson

The Rev Rachel Thomas, Clergy, Episcopal Church in CT, Deep River

The Rev. Dr. Pat Kriss, The First Congregational Church of Derby, Derby

Rev. Pamela Rose Vollinger, U. C. C., East Hartford

The Rev. Dr. Greg Gray, Enfield United Church of Christ, Enfield

Rev. Kristin L. White, United Methodist Church of Enfield, Enfield

Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt, Woodbury United Methodist Church and Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Fairfield

Sr. Maryann Calabrese, Provincial, Congregation of Notre Dame, Fairfield

Sr Patricia Ells, Province Concilor, Congregation de Notre Dame, Blessed Sacrament, Inc, Fairfield

The Very Rev. Marcus George Halley, Fairfield

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee, First Church of Fairfield, Fairfield

Khaleigh Laicher, Director of Regional Youth Ministry in Lower Fairfield County and Elder of Park Avenue Christian Church, NYC, Fairfield County

Fr. John Mulreany, Society of Jesus, Fairfield

Rev. Susan Gibson, First Church of Christ, Farmington

The Rev. Heidi Johnston, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Gales Ferry

Rev Allyson Glass, First Church of Christ Glastonbury, UCC, Glastonbury

The Rev. Jane Hawken, First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC, Glastonbury

The Rev. Dr. Paula V. Mehmel, Hampton Congregational Church, Glastonbury

Rev. Kate VanDerzee-Glidden, First Church of Christ, Congregational, United Church of Christ, Glastonbury

Rev. Dennis P. Moon, Buckingham Congregational, Glastonbury

David T. Taylor, First Church of Christ, Glastonbury

The Rev. Dr. Virginia McDaniel, Granby Congregational Church, Granby

Rev. Ellis Miller, Granby Congregational Church, Granby

Rabbi Jordie Gerson, Greenwich Reform Synagogue, Greenwich

Rev. Dr. Maxwell Grant, Second Congregational Church of Greenwich, Greenwich

Rev. Karen Halac, North Greenwich Congregational Church, Greenwich

Rev. Tim Hamlin, Christ Church, Greenwich

Rev. Dr. Ed Horstmann, Round Hill Community Church, Greenwich

The Rev. Suzy Post, Christ Church, Greenwich

Rev. Lillian Steinmayer, Round Hill Community Church, Greenwich

The Rev. Douglas L Clark, Guilford

Rev. Gini King, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Guilford

The Rev. Anne Baltzell, Spring Glen Church, Hamden

Herbert Brockman, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Mishkan Israel, Hamden

Rev. Paul Fleck, Executive Director, Immigration Law & Justice New York, Hamden

Cantor Sierra Fox, Congregation Mishkan Israel, Hamden

Rev Jack Perkins Davidson, Spring Glen Church, Hamden

Rev. Dr. Maritza I Angulo de Gonzalez, United Church of Christ, Hamden

Evelyn Santiago, parishioner, Manantial De Gracia, Hamden

Rev. Myrta Soto, Manantial de Gracia, Hamden

Ms. Marilin Ortiz, parishioner, Manantial de Gracia, Hamden

Rabbi Daniel Schaefer, Congregation Mishkan Israel, Hamden

Sr. Elaine Betoncourt, Sisters of St. Joseph, Hartford 

Rabbi Donna Berman, Ph.D., Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford

Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Hartford

Rev Egan M Bovell, United Methodist Church of Hartford, Hartford

The Rev. Dana L. Campbell, Priest Associate, Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), Hartford

Rev. Audrey R Chapman, Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford

The Rev. Dr. Lisa E. Dahill, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, Hartford

The Rev. Canon Harlon L. Dalton, Interim Dean, Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), Hartford

Sr. Rose M. Gauthier, DHS, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Hartford 

Rev. Darrell Goodwin, executive conference minister and president, Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ, Hartford

Claire Heroux, CS/DHS, Consecrated Secular of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Hartford

Allison Holst-Grubbe, lay Catholic minister, Hartford

Reverend Teran E. Loeppke, Collaborative Center for Justice, Hartford

The Rev. Loyda Morales, The Church of The Good Shepherd, Hartford

Rev. Jordan Parker, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford

Bishop John Selders, Amistad UCC/Moral Monday CT, Hartford

The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, Trinity Church, Hartford

Rev. Erica Thompson, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford

The Rev. Edwin Pérez Jr., Immanuel Congregational Church & Manantial de Gracia, Hartford

The Rev. Nancy Baseel, First Presbyterian Church of Hartford, Hartford

Rev. Jocelyn Gardner Spencer, Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA), Hartford

The Rev. Darrell Urban, Grace Lutheran Church, Hartford

The Rev. Evelyn Wheeler, Supply Priest, Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, Hartford

The Rev. Robert G. Woodward, Gilead Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hebron

Nancy Peasley Driska, Member St. Paul Parish, Kensington

Rev. Price van der Swaagh, Westbrook Congregational Church, Killingworth

Re. Patricia Liberty, Ledyard Congregational Church, Ledyard

Jeanne Altman, First Congregational Church of Madison, Madison

The Rev. Dr. Heather Arcovitch, North Madison Congregational Church, Madison

Rev. Ed Cornell, North Madison CC, Madison 

Rev. Dr. Paul C. Hayes, ABCUSA/Alliance of Baptists, Madison

Peter Hawkins, First Congregational Church of Madison (UCC), Madison

Ms. Christine Mongillo, First Congregational Church, Madison

The Rev. Craig M. Nowak, Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, Madison

Dean Singewald, First Congregation Church of Madison, Madison

Kathleen Bidney Singewald, First Congregational Church of Madison, Madison

The Rev. Deacon Ronald Steed, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Madison

The Rev. Vance Taylor, United Church of Christ, Madison

Rev. Todd C. Vetter, First Congregational Church of Madison, UCC, Madison

Rev. Sarah E. Vetter, First Congregational Church of Madison, UCC, Madison

Rev. Joyce O Crutchfield, Center Congregational Church, UCC, Manchester

Rev. Taesung Kang, South United Methodist Church, Manchester

Rev. Josh Pawelek, Unitarian Universalist Society East, Manchester

Rev. Dr. Lois K. Happe, UCC, Mansfield

Nancy Burton, President of the Congregation, Unitarian Universalist Church in Meriden, Meriden

Rev. Tony Lorenzen, Unitarian Universalist Church in Meriden, Meriden

The Rev. Jill Morrison, Director of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Meriden

The Rev. Katrina Manzi, Middlebury Congregational Church, Middlebury

Rev. Eva Cudmore, Middlefield Federated Church, Middlefield

The Rev. Diana M. Rogers, Christ Episcopal Church, Middle Haddam

Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey, former senior pastor, First Church of Christ, Congregational, Middletown

The Rev. Dr. Kristen Provost Switzer, South Congregational Church, Middletown

Phil Brewer, MD, Former Assemblies of God, Milford

Rev. Bridget Fidler, First Congregational Church, Milford

Rabbi Danny Moss, Temple Beth Tikvah, Madison

The Rev. Adam Thomas, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Mystic

Rev. Jane Rowe, South Church, New Britain

Bishop Rhasheen Brown, Right Now Ministries, New Britain

Rev. Dr. Philippe E. C. Andal, Community Baptist Church, New Haven

Dr. Awet Andemicael, Associate Dean for Marquand Chapel and Lecturer in Theology, Yale Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music, New Haven

Paul Bloom, Abbot and Senior Teacher, Kwan Um School of Zen/New Haven Zen Center, New Haven

Rev. Ally Brundige, New Haven

Ginger Chapman, Unitarian Society of New Haven, New Haven

Logan Crews, MDiv, New Haven

Alison Cunningham, Elm City Zen, New Haven

Rev. Jennifer Davis, Yale Divinity School, New Haven

The Rev. Dr. Luk De Volder, Rector of Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven

The Rev. Sarah B. Drummond, PhD, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School, New Haven

The Rev. Nathan Empsall, St. PJ’s Episcopal Church, New Haven

Rev. Andre Cortez Gilford Jr., Interim Pastor, Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church UCC, New Haven 

Rev. William Goettler, Associate Dean for Ministerial and Social Leadership, Yale Divinity School, New Haven

Pastor Scott Marks, New Growth outreach ministries, New Haven

Rev. Dr. Gregory Mobley, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School, New Haven

Diana Northington Samponaro, MDiv, 2028, Yale Divinity School, New Haven

The Rev. Dr. Allie Perry, Shalom United Church of Christ, New Haven

Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr., United Church on the Green, New Haven

Emily Scott, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church New Haven, New Haven

Drake Smith, Yale Divinity School, New Haven

The Rev. Heidi Thorsen, Trinity on the Green, New Haven

Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School, New Haven

Rev. Dr. Pat Nicholas, First Congregational Church, UCC, New Milford

Pastor Richard Reynolds, Simms Memorial Church of God in Christ, Newington

Rev. Erick Olsen, Pastor, Church of Christ, Congregational (UCC), Norfolk

Rev Olivia Robinson, North Branford Congregational Church, North Branford

The Rev. Marilyn B. Kendrix, Spring Glen Congregational United Church of Christ, North Haven

Rev. Martha Bays, First Congregational Church of Norwalk, Norwalk

Rev. Martine Gloria Bruno, United Congregational Church of Norwalk, Norwalk

The Venerable Donald Burr, Archdeacon, Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Norwalk

Rev. Sal Sapienza, United Church of Rowayton, Norwalk

The Rev. Ellen Adams, Deacon, ECCT, Norwich

Rev Erica Wimber Avena, Park Congregational Church, Norwich

Rev. David M. Horst, Community Minister, Norwich

Rev. Cydney Van Dyke, First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Old Greenwich

The Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Old Lyme

The Rev Carleen R Gerber, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Old Lyme

Rev. Dr. Steven R. Jungkeit, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Old Lyme

John Loughery, First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Old Lyme

Rev. Susan Switzer, First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Old Lyme

Rev. Jane Willan, Plantsville Congregational, Plantsville

Rev. Oscar Brockmeyer, United Church of Christ, Pomfret Center

Rev. John C. Hall, United Church of Christ, Portland

The Rev. Mary Anne Osborn, Priest in Charge, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland

Michele Bisaillon Leadership, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Putnam

Sr Janet Lewis, DHS, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Putnam

Sister Bonnie Morrow, DHS, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Putnam

The Rev. Emilie Finn, Christ Church Episcopal Parish, Redding

The Reverend Stephanie Johnson, St Paul’s, Riverside

Rev. David Peters, Roxbury Congregational Church, UCC, Roxbury

The Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson, The Congregational Church of Salisbury, UCC, Salisbury

Rev. Lucille L. Fritz, Huntington Congregational UCC, Shelton

Rev. Shawn Garan, United Church of Christ Southbury, Southbury

Rev. Abigail Johnson, St. James Lutheran Church, Southbury

Rev. Jeff Lukens, Southbury

Paul Carr, member of the human family, Islam, Southfield

Rev. Richard Allen, Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, South Glastonbury

The Rev. Jeff Braun, The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, South Glastonbury

Rev. Melissa Spindler-Smith, Cong. Church in South Glastonbury UCC, South Glastonbury

Rev. Katy Wilcox, South Church, UCC, South Glastonbury

Sister Cecilia Baronowsky, Sisters of Mercy, Southington

The Rev. Dr. Ron Brown, First Congregational Church of Southington, Southington

Rev. Peg Lewis, American Baptist, Southington

Rev. Carol A. Bloom, Grace United Methodist Church, Southington

Rev. Mark Abernethy, Wapping Community Church, UCC, South Windsor

Rev Christine Boylan, Unity of Greater Hartford, South Windsor

The Rev. Nina Barlow Schmid, First Congregational Church of East Windsor, South Windsor

Rev. Terri Dennehy, Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stamford, Stamford

Rev. Shelley C. Donaldson, First Presbyterian Church, Stamford

Rev. Nestor G., FCC, Stamford

Rabbi Michael Knopf, Temple Beth El, Stamford

The Rev. Joseph J. Rose, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Stamford

Rev. Kent Siladi, United Church of Christ, Stamford

Rabbi Jay TelRav, Temple Sinai, Stamford

Reverend Diane Seaborn, Storrs Congregation Church UCC, Storrs

The Rev Patricia M Coller, The Episcopal Church, Stratford

Robin Henrie, Suffield

Wendy Ruggeri, Music Director, St. Peter’s-Trinity Episcopal Church, Thomason

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gallagher, United Congregational Church of Tolland, United Church of Christ, Tolland

The Rev. Carrie Combs, Torrington

Rev F. Lydell Brown, Burning Bush Ministries & Conference of Churches, Hartford & Waterbury

Yaizaimar Puchi, Manantial de Gracia, Waterbury

Rabbi Marc E. Ekstrand, Temple Emanu-El, Waterford

Carolyn Hartsfield, parishioner, Old Lyme Congregational Church, Waterford

Rev. Jeanette Cooper Hicks, Westbrook Congregational Church , Westbrook

Rev Dwight Juliani, North Madison Congregational, Westbrook

Sister Barbara Bozak, CSJ, Sisters of St Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford

Father David Cinquegrani, C.P., Passionist Community, West Hartford

Sister Patricia Colla, Sisters of Mercy, West Hartford

Rev. Julie Emery, Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Hartford

Rabbi Andi Fliegel, Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford

Marilyn Greenberg, Spiritual Director, Congregation P’nai Or, West Hartford

Sister Sally Hodgdon, CSJ, The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford

Sister Ann Kane, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford

Rev. Terry Schmitt, Ph.D., First Church Congregational, UCC, West Hartford

The Rev. Jean R. Smith, St. James’ Episcopal, West Hartford

Rev Dr Jay Terbush, United Church of Christ, West Hartford

Sr. Lorraine Tiani Trustee on the Board of the Collaborative Center for Justice, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, West Hartford

Palma Vaccaro, Clerk, Hartford Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers, West Hartford

Rev. Dr. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo, The Presbytery of Southern New England of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), West Hartford

Rev. Fredd Ward, First Church West Hartford, West Hartford

Karen Mueller, Hartford/Tolland Bahá’í community, West Suffield

The Rev. Katy Herron Piazza, Christ Church Easton and Emmanuel Weston, Weston

Deacon Keith Griffin, Christ the King Parish, Wethersfield

Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz, Temple Bnai Israel, Willimantic

Rev. Caroline Hughes, Wilton Congregational, Wilton

Reverend Thomas Carr, American Baptist Churches, USA, Windsor

Rev. Dr. Ned Allyn Parker, First Church in Windsor, Windsor

Rev. Jon Zappulla, Immanuel United Church of Christ of Harford, Windsor

The Rev. Maria LaSala, Minister of Word and Sacrament, PCUSA, Woodbridge

The Rev. Tuesday Rupp, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Woodbury

Rev. Dr. Kevin Downer, First Congregational Church of Woodstock, United Church of Christ, Woodstock

Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster, UCC, Woodstock

Rev. Samuel R. Saylor Sr., New England Annual Conference of the A. M.E. Zion Church, New England

Rev. Mike Gelsomini, United Church of Christ, North Hampton, NH

Reverend Patricia Mitchell, Ballard Vale United Church, Andover, MA

The Rev. Sherril Willis, Mary Lyon Church, United Church of Christ, Buckland, MA

Rev. Lindsey Peterson, South Congregational Church, UCC, Springfield, MA

The Rev. Dr. Peter A Wells, United Church of Christ, Springfield, MA