Public Policy Action Campaigns

Sacred texts call us to welcome migrants with acts of hospitality, and to free the prisoners.

As people of faith across diverse traditions, we believe we share a common humanity, even with those who have made mistakes; that they too have families, are part of our communities, and are worthy of opportunities for rehabilitation and redemption. Our core values teach us that everyone deserves justice, compassion, human rights and humane treatment, regardless of the color of their skin, their immigration status, or their worst action. 

The US has the world’s largest immigration detention system, which is part of the world’s largest prison system. Policies of incarceration and detention harm children, separate families, and dehumanize people each day. We call for approaches that dismantle root causes, promote rehabilitation, increase public accountability and oversight, and heal the breaches in our society. 

We campaign to end the punishment framework of the carceral system, and to shift criminal justice dollars towards rehabilitation and public safety based on human needs such as housing, education, healthcare, mental health support and meaningful employment to all. We advocate for policies to protect those targeted by ICE detention, deportation and other anti-immigrant policies.

View this slideshow to learn more about our vision and advocacy priorities for 2021Click image to view slideshow

Policy Advocacy and Community Civic Engagement

At the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, we hold the belief that public policies significantly impact the communities we are a part of—either positively or negatively. These policies impact our families, neighbors, and broader community, which is why we believe that everyone’s voices matter, regardless if they are eligible to vote or not.

We urge those who are able to vote to engage in the democratic process. Simultaneously, we acknowledge that many members of the community may not have the right to vote but still can play a significant role in creating positive change. By holding on and practicing their values, sharing their stories, and advocating on behalf of their communities, everyone can help shape a more just and equitable world.

Every year, we support federal, state and local policies that promote dignity, justice, and opportunity for all. We also strive to create and support community leadership opportunities by providing avenues for individuals to participate in advocacy and civic engagement.

An example of our efforts is our annual visits to the State Capitol. Through events like the CIPC Immigrant Day of Action, we bring together community members to meet with elected officials and share their personal experiences while advocating for just policies. These efforts help provide a deep perspective and hold accountable policymakers in their decision making that policies can affect individuals, families, and communities, both positively and negatively.

IM4HI 2026 Policy Priorities

Local: No detention expansion

ICE Out of Dublin

The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is a member of the ICE Out of Dublin coalition, which is a growing alliance that is resisting the transformation of the former FCI Dublin prison into an immigration detention center.

FCI Dublin, a federal women’s prison located in the East Bay, was permanently closed in 2024 following years of horrific staff sexual abuse, retaliation, and unsafe conditions that were brought to light by brave survivors and advocates. This prison has become a national emblem of abuse and systemic failure.

Now, despite this tragic history, the site is on the verge of reopening — this time as an ICE detention facility.

Last year, the Federal Bureau of Prisons revealed plans to transfer the FCI Dublin property to the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency tasked with managing government properties. Concurrently, the GSA has been actively searching for locations for ICE, while ICE continues its quest for additional detention space in Northern California.

Once the property is transferred, the GSA could pass the site on to ICE or another agency, enabling detention operations to recommence at FCI Dublin.

Our communities must not permit a location tainted by abuse and trauma to turn into yet another detention center that tears families apart and harms immigrants.

ICE Out of Gilroy

ICE wants to construct a facility ranging from 4,000 to 20,000 square feet in Gilroy, located at 7240 Holsclaw Road, just east of the Gilroy Premium Outlets. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has secured a lease worth $26.5 million for 24.5 acres over a span of 20 years. This unincorporated land is leased from Elmwood Capital Group (ECG) 6 LLC, a Beverly Hills-based entity linked to other detention centers.

We are advocating for a permanent halt to the construction of any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing or detention facility in or around Gilroy. 

Join our local advocates and the Bay Area community by signing the petition to demand a permanent stop to the construction of any ICE facility in or near Gilroy. The signatures collected will be presented to local, state, and federal officials, and we will keep you informed about future actions. A detention facility anywhere poses a threat to us everywhere!

Sign Petition Here: https://bay-resistance.solidarity.tech/ice-out-of-gilroy-petition

2026 Statewide Policy

SB 941 – Commissary Price Caps
SB 942 – Private Detention Oversight
AB 2600 – Rep4All

Our secondary 2026 California Statewide Bills we are supporting:

California AB 1537, Authored by Assembly-member Isaac Bryan, this legislation forbids peace officers from taking on secondary employment that entails the arrest, detention, or deportation of individuals under federal immigration statutes. Officers who breach this regulation may face decertification.

Link to Bill Status: https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab1537

SB 1367, Introduced by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside), this legislation prevents California cities and counties from sanctioning zoning modifications or land-use approvals that would permit the construction or transformation of structures (including industrial warehouses) into new private detention centers.

Link to Bill Status: https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260sb1367

Senate Bill 1095, Introduced by Senator Pérez, this initiative aims to improve accountability for California’s “fusion centers” by enforcing stringent data-sharing protocols, conducting audits, and prohibiting the sharing of personal information for purposes of federal immigration enforcement or racial profiling.

Link to Bill Status: https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260sb1095

Past Victories

Some of the past victories we achieved, by organizing faith communities, in collaboration with community partners:

  • Reform Jails and Community Reinvestment Initiative in LA (Measure R) (2020)
  • Protecting Sanctuary City Policies (2012-2020)Southeast Asian Refugees Pardons (2016-2020)
  • Stopping jail expansion at the LA Men’s Jail and Women’s Jail (2019)
  • Ending the ICE Contract at West County Detention Facility (2018)
  • Stopping building of new Child Detention Facility in Inland Empire (2018)
  • Phone justice for inmates and detainees at West Co. Detention Facility (2017)
  • CA Truth Act for transparency of Sheriff-ICE collaboration (2017)
  • Funding and support for legal resources for newly arrived minors and families and hotline to protect against raids in Alameda and San Francisco counties (2016)
  • Implementation of a Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission in Los Angeles (2016) 
  • CA Trust Act (2014)
  • CA Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (2013)
  • Stopping jail expansion at West County Detention Facility (2013)