Churches protect communities from impending ICE raids

Churches protect communities from impending ICE raids

When the community of the pastor Emma Lozano from the Lincoln United Methodist Church in Chicago recently kept her services online, a pandemic was in progress that threatened the members. But this time there is a different threat that puts its community in danger without an end in sight.

The worrying reality for immigrant communities

"At that time we were waiting for the vaccine - the 'Vacuna', as we called it,", explained Lozano. "Now we ask ourselves: What is the drug? What is the vaccine for it? How long will it take?" The step to keep the Spanish services online was a painful decision that the management team of the church made to power shortly before President Donald Trump was returned.

The fear of mass deportation

"We knew that we would be a goal. So why should we wait like sitting ducks?" Said Lozano. "We have to do what to do. We are obliged to take care of each other." With the impending danger of mass deportations, the Church's decision at the beginning of January was a clear example of the growing fear in the immigrant communities: rooms that were previously considered safe, it may no longer be. In fact, only a few days later, the authorities revoke a guideline that the ICE agents had previously held in church arrests.

legal resistance to new guidelines

A coalition of Christian and Jewish organizations submitted a lawsuit last week to convince a federal judge to block this change of direction, since it restricts religious freedom and dismissed it against the constitution. Official bodies have not yet responded to this lawsuit. In a similar complaint submitted by a coalition of quäkern, the Ministry of Justice argued that a judge should not block the change in directives based on hypothetical future damage.

a new strategy to strengthen the community

In the meantime, the new politics remains despite persistent legal challenges, which makes some church leadership to become active in order to offer their communities security. Reports about ICE raids in worships have not been known since the announcement of the new guidelines, but a recent arrest in front of a church in a suburb of Atlanta was given as a disturbing example of what many communities of God fear. In some churches, participation has decreased, while others find that their believers appear more determined than ever.

Lozano did not feel the recent change to online services as a withdrawal, but as another way, to fight for their community. "We see it like a boxer, we stay in the ring," said Lozano, who has been committed to the rights of immigrants for a long time. "We will get through all the rounds until the end."

a sign of hope in difficult times

Although Lozano and other religious leaders report that the current atmosphere is unprecedented, hope remains. When a Spanish service begins in Chicagos Lincoln United Methodist Church, the ranks of the seats are empty. But Lozano sees a hopeful sign: Around 20 families pursue the service from home via zoom - the largest number of participants since the Spanish services are carried out online.

The pursuit of unity and strength

"We have to heal from fear with a medication of courage," said Lozano. "We have to fight hatred with love and stand together in solidarity." One way to do this is to participate in a nationwide economic boycott, which is planned for February 28th. On social media, this "blackout" is advertised as a protest against companies that have stopped or reduced their programs for diversity and inclusion.

"Remember that a man cannot block the sun with his finger," she encouraged her community. "We must not be paralyzed by the racist whites to say the truth." Despite the challenges, Lozano will not give up, her church will continue to remain a safe place for all people.

A look back at the challenges and hope of the future

The pastor finds comfort in how her city reacted to ICE. "This 'mass deportation' was essentially unsuccessful because we are so well prepared," she said. "Yes, there were people who were deported ... and we suffer from it. But we were here before. We'll survive."