Speaking out against immigrant abuse
By Valerie K. Maravolo
United Methodists across The Desert Southwest Conference have continued to voice their concerns over the ongoing mistreatment of undocumented persons that has resulted in the destruction of families and violations of human rights.
In an effort to coincide with the February 13-22 Congressional recess, several events-all leading up to the February 28 protest against Sheriff Arpaio-provided a platform for the community and people of the Desert Southwest Conference to take a stand on immigrant abuse.
People gathered in Arizona, both at the El Tiradito Shrine in Tucson and at Birchett Park in Tempe, to pray for the families victimized by the immigration raids and inhumane treatment of undocumented persons. Rev. Saul Montiel, associate pastor at Epworth UMC in Glendale, encouraged participation at the Tempe prayer vigil, “God will listen to us. God indeed is asking us ...to be a voice for the undocumented family...we can be their voice... God is calling us to come down in the valley - be the voice for those who have a voice no more.” Prayer was lifted up for not only the immigrants and their families, but for the faith community so they may speak out against these abuses and for the United States Congress to work diligently towards more comprehensive immigration reform.
“I pray that we will not be silent. I must speak. I can do no less than that as a person of faith...We are called to care for the wanderer, the person who struggles,” prayed DSC Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. Over 150 people combined, participated in the events along with many DSC churches who took time during Sunday services to pray.
Several key Arizona faith leaders including Bishop Carcaño, called out against local and federal immigration policies that have provided a way for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to enforce the laws in ways that violate both civil and human rights. “No public servant should ever be allowed to promote racism, and the violation of basic human and civil rights…enough is enough,” said the Bishop to local news affiliates. “We must remember that racial abuse … affects all of us, as it shapes the character and spirit of our community.” She continued by calling on U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano to “abolish immigration enforcement measures, including 287g, which allows local police to enforce federal civil immigration law. “Such an abolishment of locally enforced immigration law should begin with Sheriff Joe Arpaio before he becomes an embarrassment not only for the state of Arizona, but for this entire country. Enough is enough.”
Following these events faith and community leaders continue to call for the fair treatment of the immigrant reminding us that, “We too, were once immigrants in this land.” Bishop Carcaño calls all people of the Desert Southwest Conference to continue to lift in prayer, those immigrants and their families touched by the abuses they must endure.