Intercessory Prayer and Action Needed as TPS is Ended for Haitians Living in the US

By Matt Guynn and Founa Badet for the Deportation Defense Response Team

Members of the Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Team were in Miami, Fla., this past weekend, meeting with Church of the Brethren denominational and district leadership. The Deportation Defense Response is an initiative of several Church of the Brethren districts with the denomination’s Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace.

We worshiped with Haitian sisters and brothers in Church of the Brethren congregations in southern Florida, and were part of fervent prayers for God's intervention and protection as the federal government moves to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the US, as of 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

This situation affects at least 200 members of the Church of the Brethren in Florida, whose livelihoods have already been constricted. How shall these sisters and brothers live? Join us in grieving, in crying out to God, and shouting our lament to the heavens. 

As people of faith, we cannot be silent. To Haitian sisters and brothers, be assured you are not forgotten by your church family. We pray with you.   

Antanke moun ki gen lafwa, nou pa ka rete an silans. Pou sè ak frè Ayisyen nou yo, asire w ke fanmi legliz la pa bliye nou. Nou ap priye avèk nou.

Background

At 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, TPS will expire for 350,000 Haitians in the US. TPS is a designation that allows immigrants to legally live in the United States when their home countries are deemed difficult or unsafe due to armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that would prevent a safe return. Find an overview of TPS at www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/temporary-protected-status-tps-overview 

The TPS designation has been applied to Haitians almost continuously since 2011. Its termination for Haitians was announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Nov. 28, 2025, to take effect on Feb. 3, 2026 (see www.federalregister.gov/documen,ts/2025/11/28/2025-21379/termination-of-the-designation-of-haiti-for-temporary-protected-status).

As of this past Friday, Jan. 29, many Haitians in the US received their last paycheck and were told not to return to work.

Ending TPS will force families into danger, separation, and instability, despite lack of safe return to Haiti where there is ongoing political and gang violence and a severe humanitarian crisis. 

This is not only an immigration issue 

The end of TPS for Haitians living in the US is a faith issue as well as a moral issue and a human rights issue.

Why does this matter? Families will be torn apart and children will face fear and uncertainty. Many communities across the country will lose essential workers (see the TPS fact sheet at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HwOIo87lMibwa4qKcvBsnRz5iRCbT3jT/view?usp=drivesdk). Crucially, people will be sent back to violent, unsafe conditions in Haiti.

Requested actions

PRAY.

We invite all members of the Church of the Brethren to pray for God's intercession in this situation to save lives, protect people, and transform the hearts of decision-makers. You are invited to include the prayers below in personal, congregational, or public worship services to raise this concern before God and the community.

GIVE.

We anticipate a great increase in need this month for the funds being made available to affected congregations and church members through the Immigrant Legal and Mutual Aid Fund. Please give generously so that we may support our church family. The fund has raised $220,000 since July 2025 and is in the process of distributing it to meet the needs of immigrant families across the Church of the Brethren. Most fund received have been distributed.

Find more information about the Immigrant Legal and Mutual Aid Fund at www.onearthpeace.org/immigrant_legal_mutual_aid_fund. Make an online donation at www.onearthpeace.org/legal_mutual_aid_fund_donations or send checks to 1501 Stenewahee, Sebring FL 33870. Make checks payable to “Atlantic Southeast District” with “DDR” on the memo line. 

SPEAK OUT.

We invite all members of the Church of the Brethren to call their representatives and senators in the US Congress to ask for immediate renewal of the TPS for Haitians living in the US. Find a sample letter and online form at https://secure.everyaction.com/CUFLf1wfo0yfRTB7yN2Luw2 or call members of Congress at 202-224-3121.

STAND UP.

Visibly stand up for your neighbors. Stand alongside Haitian neighbors who may need legal, financial, and pastoral care. Many may need food delivery or other basic support in the upcoming days and weeks. 

PREPARE.

Brave action will be needed by followers of Jesus and all people of goodwill to stand with Haitians and other immigrants in our neighborhoods. Find opportunities to become prepared for quickly changing situations by developing skills in de-escalation and nonviolence. Pray to God for courage, and support church members who are led toward courageous action in support of immigrant communities. 

Immigrant Prayer Service

Following is the text of an Immigration Prayer Service / Press Conference held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Airport led by Founa Augustin Badet, pastor of Jesus Lounge Ministries, Delray Beach, Fla., and director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren. It is offered in Haitian Creole, Spanish, and English for use by others across the Church of the Brethren or beyond:

 “Seyè W'ap gouvènen tout bagay avèk jistis san patipri. Nan tout sa w'ap fè ou pa janm bliye jan ou renmen nou. W'ap toujou kenbe pwomès ou te fè nou yo.” ‭‭Sòm‬ ‭89‬:‭14‬ ‭HAT98‬‬

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” ‭‭Psalm ‭89‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Bondye vwayaj la, Bondye ki mache ak moun k ap deplase yo, nou rasanble nan moman sakre sa a ak limyè chandèl, ak souvni, ak lanmou pou pwochen nou yo.

Nou vini ak non ak figi, istwa kouraj ak laperèz, rèv retade ak lavi ki kenbe nan ensètitid.

Nou vini kanpe kote doulè a ​​te rete epi espwa toujou oze respire.

God of the journey, God who walks with people on the move, we gather in this sacred moment by candlelight, by memory, by love for our neighbors.

We come carrying names and faces, stories of courage and fear, dreams delayed and lives held in uncertainty.

We come to stand where pain has lingered and hope still dares to breathe.

SILENCE

Rete pre imigran ak migran yo, pre fanmi ki separe pa fwontyè ak règleman yo, pre timoun k ap tann yo, pre paran k ap enkyete yo, pre granmoun k ap anvi sekirite ak repo.

Be near to immigrants and migrants, to families separated by borders and policies, to children who wait, to parents who worry, to elders who long for safety and rest.

Seyè, tande lapriyè nou.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Señor, escucha nuestra oración.

Seigneur, écoute notre prière.

SILENCE

Bondye refij, fè abri pou moun ki pa gen yon lojman ki estab, yon pwoteksyon pou moun k ap vwayaje sou chemen danjere, ak yon lapè pou moun k ap viv nan laperèz konstan.

Kenbe moun k ap fè fas ak detansyon, deportasyon, oswa ensètitid nan swen fò ak dou ou.

God of refuge, be shelter for those without stable housing, protection for those traveling dangerous paths, and peace for those living with constant fear.

Hold those facing detention, deportation, or uncertainty in Your strong and gentle care.

Bondye, rete toupre nou.

God, stay close.

Dios, quédate cerca.

Dieu, reste près de nous.

SILENCE

Jezi, ou te yon timoun ki te deplase, yo te pote ou travèse fwontyè pou siviv. Ou te konnen sa sa vle di pou yo pa akeyi w, pou w konte sou jantiyès lòt moun. 

Mache avèk tout moun ki deplase jodi a.

Jesus, You were once a child on the move, carried across borders to survive. You knew what it meant to be unwelcome, to rely on the kindness of others. 

Walk with all who are displaced today.

Jezi, mache avèk nou.

Jesus, walk with us.

Jesús, camina con nosotros.

Jésus, marche avec nous.

SILENCE

Sentespri, souke kè lidè yo ak sistèm yo. Kote lalwa fè mal, pote transfòmasyon. Kote laperèz domine, pote kouraj. Kote silans te pi an sekirite pase verite a, ban nou vwa ki anrasinen nan lanmou ak jistis.

Holy Spirit, stir the hearts of leaders and systems. Where laws harm, bring transformation. Where fear dominates, bring courage. Where silence has been safer than truth, give us voices rooted in love and justice.

Vini, Lespri Sen.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Ven, Espíritu Santo.

Viens, Esprit Saint. 

SILENCE

Bondye lespwa, pandan limyè sa yo klere nan fènwa a, fè nou sonje nou pa gen lavi ki jetab, pa gen istwa ki envizib, e pa gen fwontyè ki pi fò pase lanmou.

Ede nou soti nan veye sa a, pa sèlman chanje, men angaje:

pou pwoteje moun ki vilnerab yo,

pou akonpaye moun ki ap soufri yo,

pou akeyi etranje yo,

epi pou travay pou yon mond kote tout moun fè pati.

Nou mete chak non nou pote, chak dlo nan je nou, ak chak espwa nou oze imajine nan men ou.

Dios de la esperanza, mientras estas luces brillan en la oscuridad, recuérdanos que ninguna vida es prescindible, ninguna historia es invisible y ninguna frontera es más fuerte que el amor.

Que salgamos de esta vigilia transformados, comprometidos:

a proteger a los vulnerables,

a acompañar a quienes sufren,

a acoger al forastero,

y a trabajar por un mundo donde todos tengan un lugar.

Ponemos en Tus manos cada nombre que recordamos, cada lágrima que derramamos y cada esperanza que nos atrevemos a imaginar.

God of hope, as these lights shine in the darkness, remind us that no life is disposable, no story is invisible, and no border is stronger than love.

Send us from this vigil not unchanged, but committed:

to protect the vulnerable,

to accompany the hurting,

to welcome the stranger,

and to work for a world where all belong.

“Senyè a te moutre ou sa ki byen. Tou sa li mande ou, se pou ou fè sa ki dwat, se pou ou gen kè sansib nan tout sa w'ap fè, se pou ou mache san lògèy devan li.” ‭‭Miche‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭HAT98‬‬

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” ‭‭Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8,‬ ‭NRSVue

We place every name we carry, every tear we hold, and every hope we dare to imagine into Your hands.

Nan non Jezikri, ki kraze miray epi ki rele nou vwazen, nou priye.

En el nombre de Jesucristo, que derriba muros y nos llama hermanos, oramos.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who breaks down walls and calls us neighbors, we pray.

Amen.

Founa Badet is director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren. Matt Guynn is co-director and director of organizing for On Earth Peace, an agency of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. They both serve with the Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Team.