On June 27, 2025, a group of faith leaders from across the United States issued a letter urging U.S. Senators to oppose HR1, the budget reconciliation bill currently under consideration. The letter was disseminated by Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe.

The letter begins with an appeal: "We, the undersigned faith leaders, write to ask for your opposition to HR 1, the budget reconciliation legislation currently being considered by the U.S. Senate." The signatories argue that changes made by the Senate are inadequate and fail to address significant negative impacts.

A primary concern highlighted is funding allocated for mass deportation efforts. According to the letter, this would separate families and cause disruption in communities: "It will spur immigration raids across the nation, harming hard-working immigrant families essential to our economy and causing widespread unrest like we recently witnessed in Los Angeles."

The letter also criticizes provisions allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to places of worship: "This funding also will be used to target faith communities... allowing ICE agents to enter them for enforcement purposes."

Another issue raised is funding for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The leaders express concerns about potential harm: "We believe [it] will drive migrants into the most remote regions of the border and lead to an increase in migrant deaths."

In addition to immigration-related issues, they criticize cuts in healthcare coverage and food assistance: "The legislation makes severe cuts in healthcare coverage and food assistance... driving them deeper into poverty." They cite a report from the Congressional Budget Office indicating wealth transfer from lower-income groups to higher-income ones.

From their perspective as faith organizations, they emphasize that "the moral test of a nation is how it treats those most in need of support," asserting that passing this legislation would be detrimental.

Signatories include prominent religious figures such as His Eminence Cardinal Robert W. McElroy and Imam Jamal Rahman among others. They conclude with a request for senators' votes against HR1: "We respectfully ask you to vote 'no' on the budget reconciliation legislation, HR 1."

Source information credits Archdiocese of Santa Fe and mentions further reading available on Jersey Catholic.