Brethren Rapid Response Network

“My faith compelled me to respond,” Peggy Gish states, after seeing the harm in early 2025 of the new administration’s policies affecting immigrants and other vulnerable people. Many Brethren have felt their faith compel them to respond, too, and like Peggy, have stepped up to lead and become involved with rapid response networks in their communities. This work involves organizing to respond to crisis situations and provide direct support to those who are at risk of detention. This includes verifying and documenting ICE activity, accompanying immigrants to appointments, providing transportation, offering shelter, and more.

The Educator and Organizer on the Deportation Defense Response (DDR) Team became aware of many Brethren pastors and members involved in immigrant rapid response work across the country, and organized the “Brethren Rapid Response Network.” Members connect through a Signal group and through monthly virtual calls. These serve as spaces to share about current issues in members’ local contexts, offer support and encouragement, ask questions, share advice and resources, and provide spiritual grounding.

Photo by Brett Jordan via Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cellphone-s-screen-in-close-up-photography-8829444/ 

The forms of immigrant rapid response vary within the group. Beginning in February 2025, Peggy has helped organize and train a local network of people and action groups around Athens, Ohio, called the “Neighbors Network.” This network includes people of several faith communities and other community members, including many local college students. “Our action groups include a ‘Ready Response’ network of people ready to accompany, transport, or shelter people under political threat, and a ‘Rapid Response’ network of people prepared to verify reports of ICE activity and respond, as quickly as possible, to support targeted persons, document, and de-escalate potentially violent situations,” Peggy shares. Within the network there are also groups organizing mutual aid, support to businesses, public actions, and advocacy.

While Peggy has helped organize well-connected local networks, others have joined and are leading within existing immigration coalitions such as ICE Out of Pomona in California and Miami Valley Immigration Coalition in Ohio. In rural areas lacking immigrant support, Kim Roth in Pennsylvania and Pastor Daniel Klayton in Washington, have started county hotlines where people can call to report ICE activity or ask for support in crisis situations.

Pictured here are cards distributed by the Huntingdon County Rapid Response Network in Pennsylvania

In the summer of 2025, Kim Roth, a member of the Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, PA, attended a “Resisting Authoritarianism” event with a friend at the University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College, PA. She states, “During the event, a representative from the Centre County Rapid Response Network shared about their work supporting immigrant neighbors. As we listened, my friend and I realized this was something we could begin in Huntingdon County. With guidance and encouragement from the Centre County group, we started reaching out and recruiting others to help. Our own rapid response hotline officially went live in early November 2025.” Kim shares, “For me, helping the immigrant community is a faithful expression of loving our neighbors and welcoming the stranger.”

In collaboration with groups and individuals in Okanogan County in Washington, Pastor Daniel Klayton of Ellisforde Church of the Brethren began a new ministry program last year called "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." They have organized a county rapid response program with a number for people to call for support or reports of ICE activity. The group works to connect folks to resources and information, helps with things like appointment accompaniment and grocery delivery, conducts outreach to local businesses and more. He shares, “ICE has been active in our county, tearing apart families and abusing the vulnerable. Even when we don't have everything figured out, we know that now is the time to do all that we can to protect our neighbors and loved ones from the persecutions of fascism.”

Pictured here are cards “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” have distributed throughout their community in Washington, with the group's dedicated phone number to receive calls and text messages for support. 

Immigration policies and immigration enforcement tactics are constantly changing, but the folks in the Brethren Rapid Response Network are standing firm. Connected in their communities and with one another across the country, they are ready to respond and faithfully act to protect their immigrant neighbors.

Are you involved in immigrant rapid response work in your area and want to join this group? Or are you Interested in getting involved in immigrant rapid response in your area? Contact [email protected]