Seattle, Washington USA

An employee who works at the immigrant detention center in Seattle confirmed that individuals serving in immigration control enforcement bring to the task their own personalities, ethics, and attitudes. Some use their job as a thinly veiled opportunity to exercise racial prejudice. Others deal compassionately with the people they take into custody.

By law, a detainee is allowed forty pounds of luggage to accompany them in the event of deportation. Some detainees arrive with nothing but the pajamas they were wearing when the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) team knocked on their door. Some ICE officials, however, allow immigrants to collect their belongings and cash, make arrangements for their families, and say goodbye before transporting them to the detention centers. They treat them with dignity and avoid intimidation with guns and bogus “POLICE” uniforms. These more compassionate officials are carrying out their tasks under the law with a recognition of the worth of all persons.

Novato, California USA

For several years, Novato Community of Christ has provided ESL classes (English as a Second Language) for Latino neighbors around the church. When immigration raids caused fear and confusion among the students, Janet Irby and Andy Shelton organized a support group to assist them. Through networking with other denominations, they were able to bring legal experts to the church to talk to the students about their rights and responsibilities under the law. They began exploring avenues for providing protective custody and guardianship for minor children in the event parents are detained from home for a period of time. They established a phone tree to assist in communication and support. Ecumenical connections and social services strengthen possibilities for providing food, shelter, medical attention, and legal services in a neighborhood previously unaware of these resources.

Los Angeles, California USA

An immigrant family taken into custody for questioning returned to their home that evening to find themselves homeless. The landlord, fearful of reprisals falling on his own family by Immigration and Control Enforcement (ICE) officials, had raised the rent and evicted the family. They turned to their friend, Elder Sergio Juarez, pastor of La Nueva Esperanza Community of Christ in Los Angeles. Sergio provided the family with food and shelter. He visited the landlord and was able to negotiate a solution. Thanks to Sergio’s intervention, the family returned to their home and belongings for the remainder of their stay in the United States.

After School Program for Children

In a California Community of Christ congregation, members work with Latino children in an after school program. Immigration issues have caused fear and stress among the children. They have told workers that they are afraid they won’t see their parents again, and afraid about their future. Church members struggle to provide a place of hope and safety where the children find security. Learning about a loving God helps them face the difficulties in their families and neighborhoods with the assurance that no matter what happens, they have a Friend named Jesus who is with them.”