Join us to celebrate Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s 25th anniversary with our fourth annual 2026 Love Over Fear Benefit Concert, an inspiring evening of music and storytelling. Experience a powerful lineup of incredible local BIPOC musicians, as we explore themes of journey, justice, and liberation. Proceeds from the concert will advance IM4HI’s work to demand the full humanity of every individual through immigration and decarceration advocacy, accompaniment, and the leadership development of directly impacted leaders and faith allies. In this time where fear is so present, we can’t wait to gather our beloved community together to commemorate 25 years of IM4HI’s prophetic witness and ground ourselves in love for the years to come.
Doors open at 6:00pm / Show starts at 6:30
Tickets are general admission, sliding scale $20-50. If you are unable to attend, please purchase a “Pay-It-Forward” ticket to be used by one of our immigrant/formerly-incarcerated leaders.
We are deeply honored to welcome back Benjamin Mertz (aka BenjaSoul), renowned composer, performer, and beloved IM4HI Board Chair— as this year’s producer. Known for his roots in the Black Spiritual tradition, BenjaSoul brings a sound that is both healing and transformative—perfect for this powerful evening.
Join us for a weekend of unity with the local community in Kern County; lifting up the lived experiences and demands of people impacted by immigration detention, and their family members. This is the fifth year of our annual pilgrimage, where people impacted by detention and/or deportation, their family members, faith leaders, community members, and organizers come together to bear witness to the harms of detention centers, as well as practicing and envisioning what it means to Become a Beloved Community.
Our pilgrimages are part of a statewide campaign for detention closure and for the liberation and well-being of all people. While the power of our community has helped close 9 out of 15 ICE detention centers over the past decade, the unlawful and violent attacks and disappearances of immigrants has meant that the number of those detained has doubled since 2025 exacerbating already dangerous conditions: of overcrowding, denial of basic medical care, and a high risk of death.
Additionally, since the beginning of 2005 two new detention centers have opened in Kern county and the threat of further detention expansion in California looms. Local California communities which host ICE detention facilities also struggle with a lack of food security, dignified jobs, adequate housing and medical care in the shadows of billion-dollar private prison companies operating without transparency and accountability.
This year we will converge in Kern County, to highlight the daily lives of not only the people held within the four operating detention centers of the Central Valley(See picture above), but also of the people living outside within these communities. We will visit Bakersfield (home of the Mesa Verde ICE Detention Center), McFarland (home to Golden State Annex and Central Valley Annex), and California City (home to California City ICE Detention) and engage with the local community through acts of service and Beloved Community to address their needs and concerns. The pilgrimage will conclude with an Interfaith Pilgrimage walk to the illegally operating California City ICE Detention Center. A detention center that opened without having the proper permits or business licenses in the local California City community.
Please join us for the Pilgrimage/Encuentro ’26:Becoming Beloved Communities / Construyendo Comunidades Amadason the weekend of October 22nd to October 25th.
WHEN: 3pm, Thursday, October 22nd through Sunday, October 25th at 3pm
WHERE: Starts in Bakersfield on Thursday (10/22), McFarland on Friday (10/23), and California City on both Saturday (10/24) and Sunday (10/25).
Who do we want to come?Immigrant people, allies, families/individuals impacted by immigration detention, faith leaders, students, local organizers, community members. People who are open to learning, serving, and taking action.
PARTICIPATE AS AN ORGANIZATION
Who do we want to come?Allied organizations who are fighting for the abolition of carceral systems. Organizations who work for the wellbeing of their communities: healthcare, food sovereignty, etc.
CAN’T MAKE IT? DONATE!
Sponsor a participant. Help raise commissary funds for those detained and mutual aid for the local Kern County community, which we will bring to the Pilgrimage/Encuentro ’26.
Thank you for your interest in attending our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26: Becoming Beloved Community/Construyendo una Comunidad Amada set for October 22nd to October 25th. Where we experience a weekend of unity with the local Kern County community; by lifting up the lived experiences and demands of people impacted by immigration detention, and the daily struggles of their family members. While we highlight the daily lives of people within and outside of detention centers; we aim to showcase the creative ways our people are organizing to Become a Beloved Community. Through acts of service, humility, and conversations we will create webs between individuals from all over California.
To form part of our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26 as an INDIVIDUAL, follow the next steps.
Select your package to attend our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26 for FOUR days.
Plan a mutual aid event in your area, where we will raise $$ for commissary funds for those detained and mutual aid for the local Kern County community, which we will bring to the Pilgrimage/Encuentro ’26.
Donate to local Kern County partner organizations, who are currently supporting people impacted by the immigration system.
Thank you for your interest in attending our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26: Becoming Beloved Community/Construyendo una Comunidad Amada set for October 22nd to October 25th. Our Pilgrimages are part of a statewide campaign to shut down detention centers throughout California, here we join faith leaders, community members, impacted leaders, and more, to highlight the dehumanization of immigration detention while calling for a unified and healthy society. Additionally, we aim for our Pilgrimages to serve as a stepping stone in organizing, not the final goal. Our final goal remains the end of all detention centers.
To form part of our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26 as an ORGANIZATION, follow the next steps:
Bring and Register your local members of your organization and pay theirpackage to attend our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26 for FOUR days.
Optional: ENGAGE BEFORE THE PILGRIMAGE/ENCUENTRO ‘26
Planamutual aid event in your area, where we will raise $$ for commissary funds for those detained and mutual aid for the local Kern County community, which we will bring to the Pilgrimage/Encuentro ’26.
Host in-person gatherings for our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26 Orientations, to get to know participants before the event.
Sponsor an individual to attend our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26, by donating here.
Thank you for your interest in our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26: Becoming Beloved Community/Construyendo una Comunidad Amada set for October 22nd to October 25th. We understand that everyone’s reality is different, and therefore some of our community members simply cannot attend.
However, you can still form part of our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26 by following the next steps:
Donate to local Kern County partner organizations, who are currently supporting people impacted by the immigration system.
Sponsor an individual to attend our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26, by donating here.
Planamutual aid event in your area, where we will raise $$ for commissary funds for those detained and mutual aid for the local Kern County community, which we will bring to the Pilgrimage/Encuentro ’26.
Uplift the demands of our Pilgrimage/Encuentro ‘26. More information to come.
We’re thrilled to launch our summer merch collection!Weave your values into what you wear and wrap yourself in comfort this summer.
Partner with us in reshaping how we understand immigration and public safety — moving from punishment and exclusion toward dignity, care, and the belief that every person is sacred. IM4HI’s summer merchandise is more than fabric; it’s a statement stitched with purpose.
Every faith tradition calls us to care for the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and honor the dignity of all. Join us in uplifting everyone touched by incarceration and immigration enforcement.
Every piece you wear is a small act of solidarity — and every purchase powers our movement all season long.
Sale runs through [August 21] — order today, quantities are limited on several items.
Shop with purpose. Wear your values. Support immigrant families.
COLLECTIONS
All People are Sacred Signature Collection
Get your hands on our signature IM4HI t-shirt and sweatshirt, showcasing original artwork by Bay Area artist Alex Rae Phelps. These fair trade organic cotton sweatshirts, available in a beautiful light green, feature our slogan, “All People Are Sacred Across Bars and Borders.” Choose between a yellow or pink flower — and act fast, because these beauties won’t last!
Love Over Fear Collection
Our exclusive golden yellow Love Over Fear campaign t-shirt, launched during our Love Over Fear Oakland Campaign that lifted up stories of community members creating spaces of love for the Town. This t-shirt features the incredible artwork of Oakland artist, Francis Mead. When you wear this shirt, you’re choosing to replace fear, xenophobia, and racism with love, forgiveness, and shared humanity — contributing to the creation of safe and thriving communities.
Pilgrimage Collection
Carry a piece of our collective journey with you. These limited-editions commemorate our pilgrimages in the Central Valley, where faith allies and community members gathered to advocate for an end to detention and deportations and to uplift the dignity of all families.
Convergence for Our Dignity (Pilgrimage 2025)
Wear a soft lilac cotton that carries the memory of last year’s encuentro — the gathering where our community came together in solidarity and dignity. Over three transformative days, more than 200 people bore witness, honored lives impacted by detention and incarceration, and demanded an end to the harm caused by private prison corporations like GEO Group and CoreCivic.
Journey to Freedom (Pilgrimage 2024)
Guillermo Medina Reyes, a directly impacted member of our community, created the original artwork for this cerulean blue shirt. Our community wore it as a prayer on our 2024 pilgrimage to end detention. Wear it as a piece of living history — a way to walk alongside a movement, even on days you’re just walking to work.
Pathways of Hope Collection
A community cooking showcase inspired this collection, where IM4HI families brought their cultures and cuisines to the table — from Nigeria, Haiti, Laos, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, China, and beyond — celebrating the way a shared meal builds beloved community. The turtle design at its center symbolizes resilience, migration, and perseverance: slow, steady, always moving forward, always carrying home along with it. Tie on the apron for your next family dinner or potluck, and let it spark the story-telling — a beautiful way to bring the spirit of the movement into your kitchen.
This limited edition jersey for justice wasdesigned for the IM4HI soccer team that played inthe annual California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice’s Just Goals “Soccer Tournament for Liberation.” The team included formerly detained leaders, faith leaders, and families who’ve turned soccer into a platform for advocacy.
As the World Cup winds down, keep that energy going. Grab your own jersey for justice and represent a community fighting to end ICE detention, one match at a time.
Get yours today and wear your support for immigrant justice on and off the field.
Pre-Order & Pickup Details
Summer merch is limited — order quickly through [square]to receive your items in August.
Pick up: IM4HI Office pickup is available in-person ONLY on
August 18 from 12pm – 6pm or August 20 from 10am – 6pm
Shipping: Prefer not to pick up? Shipping is also available on our Square site for an additional fee.
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