ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande is getting in caught up in the crosshairs of politics at the border. Story continues below Crime: Video - Stolen vehicle driver totals APD vehicle in crash with officer NM Film: ‘Rust’ trailer released more than three years after fatal on-set shooting Sports: Rio Rancho fires boys basketball coach after 16 years Bishop Michael Hunn of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande said the Albuquerque church has operated a shelter in El Paso for the last few years in partnership with Border Patrol. He said agents would bring migrants to the shelter who claimed asylum and passed credible interviews while they await a court hearing. "We'd give them hot food and a hot shower and often, this was the first time where they really felt safe in months," said Bishop Hunn. The partnership with the government is why the church was shocked when it received a letter from the U.S. Department Of Homeland Security expressing concern of "illegal activities" at the shelter. "We were both surprised and really saddened to see our ministry and partnership with the Department of Homeland Security so mischaracterized," said Bishop Hunn. The letter also accuses the shelter of "harboring" or "shielding" "illegal aliens" from authorities. "Everyone who came to our shelter was legally present in the United States, they were all claiming asylum, and literally they were brought to us by the Border Patrol," said Bishop Hunn. The letter said the shelter is at risk of losing reimbursement funds FEMA gives it. Bishop Hunn said that reimbursement has been about $40,000 over the course of nearly three years. The letter also asks church leadership to sign an affidavit saying they have no knowledge of illegal activity and to hand over the names and addresses of people they helped. "What's confusing about that is they literally brought us all those people, gave us their names, and all the addresses," said Hunn. The church is speaking with attorneys and others within their network who received the same letter to see how to proceed. Meanwhile, they cite their constitutional right to practice their religion freely. "We remain deeply committed to following Jesus Christ. And for us, that means helping our neighbor without judging who they are," said Bishop Hunn. "We are trying to be a good neighbor, a loving neighbor, a compassionate neighbor; not a neighbor who has to check ID before we decide whether you're worthy of our help." KRQE News 13 reached out to HSI for comment, but have not heard back. ...read more read less