Frequently Asked Questions
For some, reading statistics is frustrating as it takes away from the human element of the situation. Others may have questions about information they've seen and heard that creates fear, anger, or uncertainty. We've tried to address both of these perspectives in a way does not devalue or condescend. If you're interested in getting involved with our ministry and you still have unanswered questions, please reach out to us. We would love to have a conversation with you.
Why are you doing this? Why is it happening a Vineyard Covington?
It’s personal. Many of us are impacted or have felt directly called to this ministry.
It’s our community. There are 774 English Language Learning students in Covington schools, in addition to other kids who are Latino and fluently speak English. These our neighbors, the children our kids play with, and the students our many of our church members teach.
It’s who we are as Christians. There are more scriptures instructing us to love the immigrant than there are about loving your spouse, your parents, your kids, or your fellow Christians. 🤯 A few of the scriptures guiding our mission include Proverbs 34:8-9, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 82:3-4, Psalm 72:4, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 6:8, James 1:27, Amos 5:24, John 14:12, Hebrews 13:5-6, Philippians 2:12b-13, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32, 34-35, Micah 6:8, Deuteronomy 25:13-15, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Matthew 25: 35, 36, 40, Luke 22:25-27
It’s part of our Vineyard DNA. Vineyard USA Core Values & Beliefs states, in part: "We lean toward the lost, the poor, the outcast and the outsider with the compassion of Jesus as sinners whose only standing before God is utterly dependent on the mercy of God. This mercy can only be truly received inasmuch as we are willing to give it away. We believe that ministry in Jesus’ name should be expressed in concrete ways through the local church.The poor are to be served as though serving Jesus himself. Compassion should constitute the leading edge of our service to God, each other, and a broken world. As such, we seek to avoid unauthorized judgements of others, realizing that we are all fellow sufferers and strugglers with the rest of humanity."
We are walking with Latinos, Hispanics, including immigrants, citizens, asylum seekers, and undocumented persons.
- We do not need to know their immigration or citizenship status.
- We identify them as people created in the image of God.
- We recognize that terms like “alien” and “illegal” are dehumanizing and reductive.
- We recognize that we can’t tell someone’s citizenship status based on what they look like or what language they speak.
While all of this is true, there are relevant statistics that are worth examining.
- Incarceration rates (CATO Institute)
- for native-born Americans: 1,221 per 100,000
- for illegal immigrants was 613 per 100,000
- for legal immigrants 319 per 100,000
- Less than 2% of new deportation orders in 2025 are based on any alleged criminal activity of the immigrant
- 70.4% held in ICE detention have no criminal conviction according to data current as of August 10, 2025.
- As the immigrant population more than doubled between 1980 and 2022, the US violent crime rate dropped by 34.5%.
"The Gospel takes away our right forever, to discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving poor." - Dorothy Day
How much time do you have? The short answer is: the US immigration system is extremely flawed.
Of the undocumented persons we've encountered, each of them only came to the US after attempts to immigrate illegal failed.
- 42% of undocumented immigrants came to the US legally and overstayed their visas (Congressional Research Service)
- No comprehensive immigration reform since 1986.
- Executive orders and temporary policies leave millions of people in legal limbo and without a clear pathway to citizenship.
- The system is extremely limited and backlogged.
- The US accepts 44,100 family-based immigrant green card applications and and 14,700 employment-based applications per country, per year, regardless of the size or need of that country.
- The same number for Iceland (population 375,000) & Mexico (population 130 million and greater economic challenges)
- Family reunification cases often face wait times of 10–20+ years
The legal options are few and increasingly complex:
Humanitarian Relief. This is virtually nonexistent as of January 2025. See the next question about Asylum & Humanitarian Relief.
Temporary visa. On a temporary visa, you may apply for a green card, but you may not qualify, and your visa will likely expire before the process can be completed.
Green card. You may apply for a green card (permanent resident card) before or after coming to the US if you meet one or more of the following standards**:
- Employment based - you meet one of the following:
- You are a highly skilled & sponsored by an employer
- You can prove you are at the top of your field
- You have made a $1 million+ investment in a US business
- Family based - you have immediate relatives who are US citizens
- Diversity Lottery - specific countries, only 1 in 400 applicants win
The process is complicated and impossible without access to necessary documentation. It involves thorough screenings, financial expense. It can take 10 months to 15+ years. There are no options for people fleeing poverty or generalized violence.
**Please see below regarding changes to this process as of 2025.
Historically, there have been several ways someone could legally immigrate to the US under humanitarian relief. Most of the programs have been indefinitely suspended.
- DACA - no new applications since 2017
- TPS - ending for 1.4 million people as of 2025
- Humanitarian Parole - as ending for 500,000 people as of 2025
- Refugee - no longer accepted as of January 2025
- Asylum - increasingly difficult
For most, asylum is the only option, though it is becoming increasing difficult. Things to note about asylum:
- legal under 8 U.S. Code § 1158 and international law
- Can only apply through the CBP One app, while on U.S. soil or at a port of entry **
- if a USCIS officer determines they have “credible fear”
- if they do not pose a danger to the United States
- if they have not persecuted others
- if they can prove they faced persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group—not just poverty or generalized violence.
- As of 2025, there are over 1.5 million pending asylum cases, with wait times of 4–7 years for a hearing.
**Please see below regarding changes to this process as of 2025.
- Immigrants can not apply for asylum using the app or at a port of entry. Policies like Title 42 and safe third country agreements block or delay many from applying. (US law states you can only apply for asylum through the CBP One app, while on U.S. soil or at a port of entry)
- Asylees are charged a fee applying for asylum, applying for a work permit, and for each year their case continues. (Cases may take years and this is beyond the immigrant's control.)
- Cases are being dismissed without a hearing which contradicts US law.
- Asylees are being detained and deported while waiting for a hearing which contradicts US law.
- Applications for green cards are no longer being accepted from asylees and refugees.
Immigrants are necessary to our labor force.
- Immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, with 19% of the labor force being foreign-born.
- Immigrants fill jobs Americans don’t take, especially in agriculture, construction, caregiving, and hospitality.
- There are nearly 9.5 million job openings and only 6.5 million unemployed workers (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024).
- Immigration has a small but mostly positive effect on the wages of native-born workers in the long term. (National Academies of Sciences)
- Anecdotally, immigrants are known to be more reliable employees.
From a Biblical perspective, this isn't an issue:
"How can He reach the poor when we’re so greedy for gain? How can He be our security when we’re so caught up with the god of this world? How can He prove that He’ll supply all our needs if we’re not willing to launch out and Give? We can’t listen to messages from the world which advertise extreme caution when the Bible advocates extreme generosity. The two are mutually exclusive." - Gospel for the Poor, Vineyard Justice Network
Still, most immigrants pay taxes.
- Around 50–75% of undocumented immigrants pay federal payroll taxes using ITINs, fake or borrowed Social Security numbers.
- An estimated $11.7 billion in state and local taxes are paid annually by undocumented workers (ITEP, 2023).
And immigrants have a net positive impact on our economy.
- Over 75 years, immigrants contribute a net positive of $1.3 trillion to public budgets. (National Academies, 2017)
- Immigrants contribute more in taxes over a lifetime than they receive in benefits.
- First-generation immigrants may cost more early on (mostly due to children in public schools), but second-generation immigrants contribute significantly more than native-born citizens.
- They are more likely than native-born citizens start their own businesses.
- In Greater Cincinnati, International immigration has been a key driver of population growth in the region, offsetting domestic migration losses.
- Immigrants in Cincinnati wield significant economic influence, contributing over $1.5 billion in spending power and more than $189 million in state and local taxes annually.
From a
No. The issues of immigration has become political, but our stance is not partisan. We may have differing opinions on how or why someone arrived in the US, or even whether or not they should be allowed to stay. That doesn't change the call to love people like Jesus does here and now.
We are not in favor of any practices that dehumanize or villainize people, whether they are immigrants or ICE officers. We may disagree with someone's actions and still acknowledge that they are deserving of the love and grace of God. While we are biblically mandated to stand up for the oppressed - not the oppressors, we are also mandated to love and pray for both.
Yes. If you can show the love of Jesus to someone, then we would love you to join us in doing just that. We simply ask that you abide by the same norms (below) as everyone else in the group. If you're not there yet, but you're interested, reach out to us.
Yes. The following norms apply to meetings, gatherings, and anything we do under the name Latino Allies:
- We will be led by curiosity, not judgment.
- We will listen and speak with humility.
- We will respect each other’s opinions and experiences.
- We will not use stereotypes, slurs, or derogatory terms.
- We will not share someone else’s story or personal information outside of the group without their permission.
We are operating in 4 pathways at this time:
Presence. Accompanying immigrants during important moments like court hearings, ICE check-ins, and other times they need a steady presence.
Amplify. Sharing immigrant stories through social media, news, and personal connections while encouraging churches to actively stand with and advocate for immigrants.
Tend. Supporting local Latino-owned businesses, building relationships with our Latino neighbors, and investing in the neighborhood as a tangible way to strengthen community life.
Hope. Providing after care through pastoral, emotional, and practical support after those moments, helping individuals and families find stability and hope.
Since beginning in 2024:
We've partnered with local Latino organizations to plan and host a Latina Empowerment event that served 40+ women.
Accompanied numerous immigrants to checkins, hearings, and appointments.
Supported our local Brazilian community by hosting monthly services at Vineyard Covington.
Partnered with Ola and UNDIVIDED for an immigrant block party for 100+ people.
Given away 200 free churros at Austinburg Park.
Collaborated with VCOV House Groups to make and give away treat bags to 300+ English Language Learning kids.
On the Day of Judgement, I can imagine [Jesus] saying to them, “For I was hungry, and you put some money in a tin and walked off”. He’s looking for people who will roll up their sleeves and get involved – something that many of us would rather leave to others. Jesus calls us to feed the hungry and to clothe the naked. That doesn’t mean tossing someone a sandwich and a bag of worn clothing. It means getting alongside him and demonstrating the compassion of God.
-Gospel for the Poor - VJN