From Our Pastor:

Dear Friends, 

Our commitment to a religious and service enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary. We have always supported diversity, equity, and inclusion and strived to create a culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work and feel the love and grace and of God. Our programming and practices do not – and never have – included quotas or systematic preferences, nor does it mean compromising merit-based raises. However, our steadfast commitment to serve our parishioners and community, especially those on the margins, means that we cannot afford to do anything but hire, promote, and support the most qualified individuals and to remain in keeping with our core values. 

We are going to continue to reach out to the Black community, Hispanic community, the LGBT community, the Veteran community, as well as remain committed to immigrants and refuges, the homeless and reducing our carbon footprint by upholding our Environmental Policies as a parish, school, cemetery, and outreach.

This is why on February 4^th 2025 we have released a video and documents that clearly state our recommit to our diversity and inclusion programs, gives immigrants and refugees a handout for quick reference, and guides our Safety Team and School Team Members on what to do if Federal Agents approach them, or attempt entry to our parish or school and campus, as well as reaffirms our Core Values as a Franciscan Catholic Community rooted in the Gospel of Jesus, as our Christ.

I pray you will listen intently, support our mission, and give generously. The world needs us now more than ever.

In Hope and Peace,

Monsignor +Jim,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners, Students, Faculty, Friends, and Team Members,

We understand that recent changes in federal immigration policies may have caused concern and uncertainty within our community. Please know that Saint Miriam Parish & School is committed to working with local organizations and stakeholders to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep our students and families safe.

After careful consideration, the Board for both entities, believes that our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect, the Inherent Dignity of the Human person, our Catholic religious doctrine, and re-spect for inclusion of all persons is appropriate and necessary.

Therefore, as part of this commitment, Saint Miriam Boards and Administration have already established a protocol for staff and security guards to follow if an ICE agent(s) attempt(s) to visit our school or parish community. This protocol is designed to protect the rights and privacy of our students, fac-ulty, and families while ensuring the safety of our entire school community. Saint Miriam retains its designation as a PRIVATE SPACE! This memorandum reiterates our policy for who has the right to enter our space.

We encourage you to read this information and share it with anyone who may need it. Empowering yourself and others with this knowledge is a critical step in protecting your family and community.

Additionally, if you have any urgent concerns, please contact our School Director, Leigh Moran or our Pastor, Monsignor Jim St George at the link below. They are both here to support and guide you.

Thank you for being part of our wonderful community where everyone is welcomed and protected.

– The Staff, Pastors, Administration, and Directors at Saint Miriam

Key Points for Community Members:

Protected Spaces:
Even without a Federal Policy in place, schools, hospitals, childcare centers, churches, and other places of worship retain the right to restrict immigration agents from entering their facilities. Additional-ly, some states and localities have added protections to ensure these spaces remain safe. Our greater church has retained that right to remain a Sanctuary Parish and will not authorize agents to enter any private space.

• ICE Agents MAY access ‘public spaces’ such as lobbies, parking areas, and waiting areas and our sanctuary when in use and open to the public.
• ICE Agents NEED a valid Judicial Warrant or show Probable Cause to enter non-public spaces, classrooms, offices, living spaces, rectory, Friary, etc., OR to question anyone on our property, even if they are within public areas.
• ICE Agents need a Valid Warrant OR permission to enter non-public areas.
• ICE Agents MUST show this Valid Judicial Warrant. Do NOT open locked doors without a Warrant being shown and verified!
• Administrative Warrants – issued by the agency and not signed by a federal Judge – ARE NOT VALID to gain entry or to question at Saint Miriam.

Please note: Administrative Warrants DO PERMIT an Agent to question someone IF they have probable cause to believe that they are violating the law.

Privacy Laws:
Schools and other community organizations are required to protect personal information and use it solely for program purposes, such as enrollment. This information is not shared with immigration agents. These privacy laws are still in effect and remain a critical layer of protection for families.

Raising Concerns:
If you have concerns about accessing a location- such as a school, community health care center, childcare center, church, food pantry, or other location, please share them with the staff, pastors, administration representatives, or principal at the location. They can provide information on the steps being taken to safeguard your family. Additionally, you may reach out to a trusted community-based organization to ask questions about protected areas, policy changes, and any specific concerns you may have.

Support Is Available:
Immigrants and their families are not alone. Advocates and service providers in our community are ready to help and support you in the weeks and months ahead. Saint Miriam is here to provide re-sources and connect families with trusted organizations.

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If ICE/Police Come to Your Home

• Try to remain calm.
• Do NOT open the door.
• Ask for a JUDICIAL WARRANT signed by a judge.
• Ask for the order to be placed under the door or to be shown through a window.
• If they enter without permission, VERBALLY STATE that you do NOT grant them permission to enter your home and search your belongings.
• DO NOT answer ANY questions. You have a right to remain silent. If you choose to speak, do not lie.
• Record the event, ensure that photos and videos are synced to the cloud.
• Utilize the Notifica App if you are at risk of being detained.

If ICE/Police Stop You in Public

• Do NOT carry a passport or provide a foreign ID.
• Ask them to identify themselves.
• Provide your name ONLY.
• Do NOT answer ANY questions. You have a right to remain silent.
• If you choose to speak, DO NOT LIE.
• Do NOT sign anything.
• Do NOT consent to being searched. Verbally say, “I DO NOT CONSENT TO BEING SEARCHED.”
• ICE LIES – DO NOT agree to what ICE asks.

Be Proactive: Prepare yourself if you are stopped by ICE/Police

• Gather the following:
• A folder for each family member.
• Copies of identity documents.
• Copies of immigration documents.
• Copies of medical records.
• Bank information.
• Assign a trustworthy primary contact person.

What to look for on Warrants:

• Your name.
• Is it the right address?
• Is you name spelled correctly?
• Only the person, property, and areas specified may be searched.
• It is signed by a judge and has the name of a state/federal court at the top.

See the samples below (click to enlarge)