Faith Under Siege: Thousands of Foreign Clergy Still Facing Deportation Thanks to Biden-Era Immigration Policy
Even under President Trump’s renewed efforts to secure the border and restore lawful immigration, churches across America are still suffering the effects of a damaging immigration change left behind by the Biden administration.
At the center of the crisis is a 2023 Biden-era rule change that threw thousands of religious workers—including pastors, priests, nuns, and missionaries—into legal limbo. These faith leaders, who came to the U.S. legally and served their communities honorably, are now at risk of being forced out due to a bureaucratic backlog created by Biden’s policies.
The Problem: Biden’s 2023 Rule Change Still Wreaking Havoc
Religious workers often enter the U.S. on R-1 visas, which allow them to minister for up to five years. During that time, they typically apply for green cards through the EB-4 visa program. But in 2023, the Biden administration merged the EB-4 category with another group—minors fleeing abuse from Central America—causing a logjam that overwhelmed the system.
Thanks to Biden’s reckless policy, religious workers now face longer processing times and increasing deportation risk, even though they followed every rule.
President Trump is now working to repair the damage, but religious communities are already experiencing the fallout: churches without priests, pastors forced to leave, and congregations scrambling to keep their doors open.
Churches Suffer as Faith Leaders Face Removal
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) shared that multiple Catholic parishes in Maine—including St. Agatha and Bucksport—were left without priests for months when their R-1 visas expired and their green cards were still pending.
“These aren’t just immigration statistics,” said one parishioner. “These are the men and women guiding our communities, baptizing our children, and comforting our sick. And now they’re being punished for a backlog they didn’t cause.”
The Fix: President Trump Supports the Religious Workforce Protection Act
To clean up Biden’s mess, lawmakers introduced the Religious Workforce Protection Act (RWPA) earlier this year. The bill, backed by both Republicans and some Democrats, would allow religious workers to stay in the U.S. while their green card applications are being processed.
While President Trump has signaled support for fixing the EB-4 system and protecting America’s faith communities, the bill still awaits movement in Congress.
Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), a key Trump ally, noted: “This is about religious liberty. No faith leader should be forced out because of a broken system left behind by Joe Biden.”
Catholic Network: Biden’s Rule Change Was a Disaster
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network called the RWPA a “critical piece of legislation” that would prevent thousands of pastors and religious workers from being forced out of their communities. Their solution: allow R-1 holders with approved petitions to extend their status while waiting for permanent residency.
Why It Matters Now
Under President Trump’s leadership, America is working to restore common sense to the immigration system. But the damage from the Biden years is still hurting our churches—and without immediate action, many communities could lose the spiritual leaders they depend on.
This isn’t just about visas. It’s about preserving religious freedom, supporting lawful immigration, and rebuilding the institutions that hold America together.