Categories
Sanctuary

2025 Immigrant Arrests

Español Abajo*

Dear Immigrant and Faith Communities:

We are sending you this pastoral and prophetic statement in light of the recent enforcement actions taken by ICE and Border Patrol which have detained dozens and possibly 200 immigrant neighbors and family members this week in Kern County, with threats of more in Fresno and Sacramento counties. We condemn these gross acts of intimidation and family separation taken by ICE that have created widespread fear and confusion in immigrant communities across the state. 

We denounce misleading news reports that demonize immigrant communities to justify mass detention of people, playing on racist and xenophobic fears. The reality is that those detained are individuals and family members integral to our community living their lives and contributing to society. We are still waiting to hear more information about those who have been detained and we encourage people to beware of misleading information and critically read any statement coming from border patrol, ICE, and law enforcement.  We denounce the mischaracterization of immigrants, including those who may have a past conviction and have paid their debt to society. They are a vital part of our families and communities. We believe in transformation and that no one should be painfully separated from their family and forcibly deported to a place they hardly know. 

We want to communicate this message to the Immigrant Community

It is important that you respond with Faith and Courage, NOT Fear and Panic. 

In this difficult moment, we want you to know that you are not alone. That your dignity, your worth, your value – is intrinsic and innate and no one can take that away from you.

There are people of faith and community organizations who will fight alongside you and for you. We know from experience that with community support you can fight detention and deportation.  

Here is some information we are sharing with you, please read and share Know Your Rights material with community members and save your local rapid response hotline number. 

Together as one community, we can overcome these threats coming from ICE and CBP. Let us protect all members of our community without scapegoating and allowing them to divide us. Now is the time to stay alert and be informed about ways to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors.  

May you rest assured in your faith.

We share this sacred text from the prophet Isaiah in the Jewish, Muslim, Christian tradition:: 

  Do not fear, because I am with you;  Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

    I will strengthen you, I will surely help you;  I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.

We want to communicate this message to People of Faith

To people of faith and conscience, we are at a moment where our values are being tested. We are called to stand in solidarity with our immigrant community, who are being unfairly stigmatized and targeted.

Across many faith traditions, we are united by principles of love, protection for the vulnerable, compassion and equality for all, regardless of immigration status. 

When a refugee migrant comes to live among us, we shall not oppress them in any way. The refugee migrant that lives among us, and the indigenous people that we live among, we shall treat as persons with full citizenship, and grant and actively protect the full rights and privileges we enjoy as citizens. This is how to love the refugee as we love ourselves. Because we were migrant refugees. “  – Leviticus 19:34   (Jewish, Muslim and Christian sacred text)

Our neighbors are seeking those who profess the sacredness of life, family, and community to stand in solidarity with them.

Please join us in taking actions of accompaniment, solidarity, and sanctuary rooted in our moral obligation to protect our immigrant neighbors from injustice.  Join our statewide Network of people of faith and congregations called #SanctuaryPeople engaging in public witness, advocacy, rapid response, accompaniment, and support. 

We have resources and can connect you: 

No amount of political intimidation will deter us from defending our values. We remain committed to preventing harm and upholding the well-being of ALL individuals, regardless of migration status.

Peace,

The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is a statewide California organization that works for the dignity and full inclusion of immigrants and people impacted by incarceration.  We believe that all people are sacred across bars and borders.   of immigrants and people impacted by incarceration.  We believe that all people are sacred across bars and borders.  

____________________________________________

Estimada comunidad migrante y comunidad de fe:

Les enviamos esta declaración pastoral y profética a la luz de las recientes acciones de cumplimiento de la ley tomadas por ICE y la Patrulla Fronteriza que han detenido de decenas, posiblemente hasta 200 o más miembros y familiares de la comunidad inmigrantes esta semana en el condado de Kern, con amenazas de más redadas en los condados de Fresno y Sacramento. Condenamos estos actos graves de intimidación y separación familiar tomados por ICE que han creado miedo y confusión generalizados en las comunidades inmigrantes en todo el estado.

Denunciamos las noticias engañosas que demonizan a las comunidades inmigrantes para justificar la detención masiva de personas, jugando con temores racistas y xenófobos. La realidad es que los detenidos son individuos y miembros de la familia que son parte integral de nuestra comunidad, que viven sus vidas y contribuyen a la sociedad. Todavía estamos esperando escuchar más información sobre aquellos que han sido detenidos y alentamos a las personas a tener cuidado con la información engañosa y leer críticamente cualquier declaración proveniente de la patrulla fronteriza, ICE y las fuerzas del orden. Denunciamos la caracterización errónea de los inmigrantes, incluidos aquellos que pueden tener una condena anterior y han pagado su deuda con la sociedad. Son una parte vital de nuestras familias y comunidades. Creemos en la transformación y en que nadie debe ser separado dolorosamente de su familia y deportado a la fuerza a un lugar que apenas conoce.

Queremos comunicar este mensaje a la comunidad inmigrante

Es importante que responda con fe y coraje, NO con miedo y pánico.

En este momento difícil, queremos que sepa que no está solo. Que su dignidad, su valor, su valor es intrínseco e innato y nadie puede quitárselo.

Hay personas de fe y organizaciones comunitarias que lucharán junto a usted y por usted. Sabemos por experiencia que con el apoyo de la comunidad se puede luchar contra la detención y la deportación.

A continuación, le presentamos información que estamos compartiendo con usted; lea y comparta el material Conozca sus derechos con los miembros de la comunidad y guarde el número de la línea directa de respuesta rápida local.

Juntos, como una sola comunidad, podemos superar estas amenazas provenientes de ICE y CBP. Protejamos a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad sin convertirlos en chivos expiatorios y sin permitir que nos dividan. Ahora es el momento de estar alerta y estar informados sobre las formas de protegerse a sí mismos, a su familia y a sus vecinos.

Les alentamos a que tengan confianza en su fe.

Compartimos este texto sagrado del profeta Isaías en la tradición judía, musulmana y cristiana:

No temas, porque yo estoy contigo; No tengas miedo, porque yo soy tu Dios. Te fortaleceré, te ayudaré con seguridad; te sostendré con mi mano fuerte y justa.

Queremos comunicar este mensaje a las personas de fe

A las personas de fe y de conciencia, nos encontramos en un momento en el que nuestros valores están siendo puestos a prueba. Estamos llamados a ser solidarios con nuestra comunidad inmigrante, que está siendo injustamente estigmatizada y atacada.

En muchas tradiciones religiosas, estamos unidos por los principios del amor, la protección de los vulnerables, la compasión y la igualdad para todos, independientemente del estatus migratorio.

Cuando un migrante refugiado viene a vivir entre nosotros, no lo oprimiremos de ninguna manera. A los refugiados migrantes que viven entre nosotros y a los pueblos indígenas entre los que vivimos los trataremos como personas con plena ciudadanía, y les concederemos y protegeremos activamente los plenos derechos y privilegios que disfrutamos como ciudadanos. Así es como debemos amar a los refugiados como a nosotros mismos. Porque fuimos refugiados migrantes. – Levítico 19:34 (texto sagrado judío, musulmán y cristiano)

Nuestros vecinos buscan a quienes profesan la sacralidad de la vida, la familia y la comunidad para que se solidaricen con ellos.

Únase a nosotros para tomar acciones de acompañamiento, solidaridad y santuario arraigadas en nuestra obligación moral de proteger a nuestros vecinos inmigrantes de la injusticia. Únase a nuestra red estatal de personas de fe y congregaciones llamada #SanctuaryPeople que participan en el testimonio público, la defensa, la respuesta rápida, el acompañamiento y el apoyo.

Tenemos recursos y podemos conectarlo:

Ninguna cantidad de intimidación política nos disuadirá de defender nuestros valores. Seguimos comprometidos con la prevención de daños y la defensa del bienestar de TODAS las personas, independientemente de su estatus migratorio.

Con Paz,

El Movimiento Interreligioso por la Integridad Humana

El Movimiento Interreligioso por la Integridad Humana es una organización estatal de California que trabaja por la dignidad y la plena inclusión de los inmigrantes y las personas afectadas por el encarcelamiento. Creemos que todas las personas son sagradas más allá de los límites y las fronteras. www.im4humanintegrity.org

Categories
Updates

Prayer for those suffering in the LA Fires

Español Abajo*

Dear beloved community,

To our friends  suffering the LA fires, we are praying for your safety and healing

It is written in the Quran 

“Verily, with hardship comes relief.”

It has been distressing to hear from so many friends about the loss of housing, the toxic air and trauma of evacuating with everything material left behind, the fabric of people’s lives burned to the ground. 

We pray as faith rooted people, we can be part of the circle of relief and recovery from the devastating losses that have resulted from the fires.  We mourn the loss of Masjid Al Taqwa, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center and Altadena Community Church and other centers for community life. We are especially concerned for unsheltered people and undocumented people who may not have access to resources that can help them through this terrible crisis. 

We give thanks to courageous firefighters, including incarcerated firefighters facing deportation, and community volunteers who have rushed in to contain the fires and provide immediate relief.  We know this fire will be a heavy lift for many religious communities, who are often on the front line of providing relief during times of crisis. 

We know this is Los Angeles’ moment of climate crisis writ large.

These climate emergencies and threats to lives, including planned deportations in the midst of devastation,

are a test of our humanity and our relationships to each other and our nonhuman relatives. 

We pray that as people of faith we respond by lifting up our faith in each other, our humanity and our choice to prioritize collective care.  Every human life is sacred, across all bars, walls and borders. 

May love prevail. 

May the Holy One sustain our efforts and be a source of comfort and hope. 

May the Spirit of Life protect us in our hour of need.   

Board of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity

_____________________________________________________

Querida comunidad,

A nuestros amigos que sufren los incendios de Los Ángeles, oramos por su seguridad y sanidad.

Como está escrito en el Corán:  

“En verdad, con las dificultades siempre llega el alivio”.

Ha sido doloroso escuchar a tantos amigos hablar sobre la pérdida de viviendas, el aire tóxico y el trauma de evacuar y dejar todas sus pertenencias, la esencia de la vida de las personas quemada hasta los cimientos. 

Oramos como personas arraigadas en la fe, para que podamos ser parte del círculo de alivio y recuperación de las devastadoras pérdidas que han resultado de los incendios.  Lamentamos la pérdida de Masjid Al Taqwa, el Templo y Centro Judío de Pasadena y la Iglesia Comunitaria de Altadena y otros centros para la vida comunitaria. Estamos especialmente preocupados por las personas desamparadas e indocumentadas que tal vez no tengan acceso a recursos que puedan ayudarlos a superar esta terrible crisis. 

Damos gracias a los valientes bomberos, incluidos los bomberos encarcelados que enfrentan la deportación, y a los voluntarios de la comunidad que se han apresurado a contener los incendios y proporcionar alivio inmediato.  Sabemos que este incendio causará que se haga un gran esfuerzo para muchas comunidades religiosas, que a menudo están en primera línea para brindar ayuda en tiempos de crisis. 

Sabemos que este es el momento de crisis climática a gran escala en Los Ángeles.

Estas emergencias climáticas y amenazas a la vida, incluidas las deportaciones planificadas en medio de la devastación,son una prueba de nuestra humanidad y de nuestras relaciones entre nosotros y con nuestros parientes no humanos. 

Oramos para que, como personas de fe, respondamos elevando nuestra fe unos en otros, nuestra humanidad y nuestra elección de priorizar el cuidado colectivo.  Cada vida humana es sagrada, más allá de todas las barreras, muros y fronteras. 

Que prevalezca el amor. 

Que la Divinidad sostenga nuestros esfuerzos y sea fuente de consuelo y esperanza. 

Que el Espíritu de Vida nos proteja en nuestra hora de necesidad.   

Mesa Directiva del Movimiento Interreligioso por la Integridad Humana

Categories
Accompaniment

Welcome Navigator Highlights

In our first month volunteering as Welcome Navigators, something truly remarkable unfolded at the courthouse.  After completing their shift, one volunteer hopped to a different floor of the building to grab their backpack to go home. They were unaware that their day was about to take an extraordinary turn!

As they made their way out of the building, they encountered two women who appeared lost and anxious. In Spanish, the volunteer approached them to see if they needed help. “M” explained that her friend “P” had an appointment, but they couldn’t find the correct room. The volunteer’s heart went out to them when they learned that P spoke only Mixteco, an indigenous language from Mexico, and M was there to accompany and translate for her into her native language.

After checking the screen, the volunteer discovered that Paula had an individual hearing scheduled in 10 minutes for 3 PM.  However, the women were unaware that the hearing required an attorney to be present. Recognizing the urgency, the volunteer led them to consult with the LEI Attorney of the Day.  Unfortunately, he was busy, and time was slipping away.

Both women looked increasingly nervous. The volunteer turned to M and asked if they had any faith tradition. She replied, “Yes. We were praying on our way here, asking God to send someone who could help us. I believe He sent you.”

Feeling the weight of their situation, the volunteer asked P if she would like to pray. She eagerly agreed, and with M interpreting, they lifted their voices together, seeking guidance and support for P as they waited for the judge.

At 3 PM, the judge, clerk, prosecuting government attorney, and translator entered the room right on time. As the hearing began, M leaned over to the volunteer to whisper, “My friend won’t understand this interpreter. The interpreter is using Mixteco Bajo from Oaxaca, but we speak a different dialect of Mixteco Alto from Guerrero.”

Suddenly aware of the gravity of the situation, the volunteer bravely raised their hand to advocate for the women.  She knew that as an indigenous woman, M was already vulnerable to mistreatment and lack of proper understanding in the legal system, and had been socialized to stay quiet in the presence of authority.  The judge turned to them, curiosity etched on her face. Briefly introducing themselves, the volunteer explained that the interpreter was speaking the wrong dialect. The judge’s expression shifted to one of concern as she asked P if she could understand the translator.  P confirmed she couldn’t understand.  

The judge quickly asked if the translator could switch dialects, which she was able to do.  From that moment, the judge consistently checked in with P, asking if she understood and encouraging her to voice any questions.

Witnessing this transformation was profound. Now that P saw the volunteer and judge on her side, her confidence grew as she engaged with the judge, asking questions she had previously.