Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY

A2 UP FRONT
Friday 19 July 2019

Across U.S., clergy mobilize to support vulnerable migrants

Continued from Front and some other places to
be “sensitive locations”
“A lot of our families went and generally does not
through the things immi- pursue people inside who
grants are experiencing are seeking sanctuary.
today.” In Seattle, the Gethsemane
___ Lutheran Church provided
Baltimore-based Lutheran sanctuary for more than
Immigration and Refugee a year for a Mexican im-
Service, which has been migrant, Jose Robles, who
assisting uprooted people was targeted for deporta-
since 1939, has launched tion. On Wednesday, Ro-
a United Sanctuaries of bles — accompanied by
America campaign, seek- his wife and three daugh-
ing to recruit places of wor- ters, Gethsemane’s pastor,
ship willing to provide sanc- and dozens of other sup-
tuary to anyone fearful of porters — presented him-
deportation without due self to an ICE office in a Se-
process. LIRS also is reach- attle suburb, where he was
ing out to community or- detained after applying for
ganizations and nonprofits a stay of deportation.
which would help ensure Robles’ fate is uncer-
that sanctuary providers tain. The pastor, Joanne In this photo taken Wednesday, July 17, 2019, Jose Robles, front center, rests with his hands behind
his head as supporters hold their arms toward him during a blessing before he presented himself
have needed resources Engquist, said efforts would to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Tukwila, Wash.
such as legal assistance continue to get him a U- Associated Press
and logistical support. visa that would enable him Carey is a member of an church as a sanctuary at ucate about immigrants’
“The response has been to avoid deportation. organization called Clergy the request of his represen- rights and provide as much
incredible,” said LIRS presi- Of course, we are deeply and Laity United for Eco- tative, Congresswoman legal assistance as can be
dent Krish O’Mara Vignara- disappointed in the out- nomic Justice, or CLUE, Shelia Jackson Lee. If a discussed over the phone.
jah. “Churches are saying come,” Engquist said. which advocates for low- person in the U.S. illegally In some ways, however,
they want to be part of “What keeps us going is income families and immi- approached him, he said they’re stymied: food can’t
this — some have offered hope for justice.” grants. Ahead of the an- they’d find shelter at the be distributed by phone.
to provide safe spaces or ___ nounced raids, eight Chris- church but they would also “Depending on how long
meals. Some who have ex- At the Church of the Epiph- tian congregations publicly have to meet with lawyers this environment contin-
isting sanctuary spaces are any in Los Angeles, Father offered their buildings as or with Jackson Lee’s staff. ues, we’ll be looking at the
now saying they need the Tom Carey says housing sanctuaries through the or- He believes it would be best ways to serve people
legal services.” people in the sanctuary is ganization. hypocritical to preach in need while staying with-
ICE considers churches an “option of last resort.” Even in his sermons, Carey against doing wrong and in the bounds of the law,”
takes a stance. By chance, then aid someone trying to Murphy said. “But I don’t
this week’s reading was the break the law. know that we’ve come up
story of the good Samari- “We’re not going to throw with an answer to that yet.”
tan. you to the wolves. What ___
“According to the parable we’re going to do is set the Utah’s dominant religious
that Jesus told, our neigh- attorneys in place for you if denomination, the Church
bors are not the people we you’re willing to go through of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
know. Our neighbors are that process,” he said. “If Saints, doesn’t offer sanc-
the people we don’t know you don’t want to do that, tuary to immigrants, but it
who are in trouble,” Carey there’s nothing I can do for tries to stake out a com-
FROM 6-7PM said. “And the command- you.” passionate stance on immi-
ment is to love your neigh- ___ gration and said last year it
bor.” In Chicago, the diocese’s was “deeply troubled” by
Carey’s church also con- Catholic Charities has seen the family separations at
nects immigrants needing a noticeable decline in the the border.
legal help with an immigra- number of people taking The religion allows local
tion lawyer who works pro advantage of its social aid lay leaders to provide “life-
bono. Of his 70 or so con- programs, spokeswoman sustaining” help to church
gregants, Carey estimates Brigid Murphy said. members regardless of im-
a third are in the U.S. ille- On an agency-wide call migration status, while en-
gally. Wednesday, concerned couraging people to get
__ staff soberly discussed the legal help to resolve their
Pastor Robert Stearns at downtick in mothers at its immigration situation, said
Living Water International Women, Infants and Chil- church spokesman Eric
Apostolic Ministries in Hous- dren Food and Nutrition Hawkins.
ton has also said his church Centers and identified Members of the faith,
can be a sanctuary, but his ways the human services widely known as the Mor-
offer comes with caveats. arm of the diocese can mon church, account for a
“The only people who will help. large portion of the volun-
be allowed in are those Murphy said the organi- teers who help immigrant
who want to participate in zation will try to provide and refugee resettlement
becoming American citi- more remote assistance for programs run by Catho-
zens,” Stearns said. people afraid to leave their lic Community Services of
Stearns opened his small homes. They’ll work to ed- Utah.q