L.S.: How have things changed for your congregation since the raid?
C.G.: Before the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raid at Columbia Farms, South Carolina approved a tough new immigration law. The people attending our congregation were worried and began to have some problems, even though the new law would not take effect until January 1, 2009. For example, when some of them lost their jobs and began looking for a new job, they couldn’t find one. The employer asked not only for the right papers (Social Security numbers) but also for their driver’s license, and when they didn’t show the driver’s license the employer would not provide a job. This is one of the issues. Another is that the police are now working with ICE. Before, when the police stopped an undocumented person, they only received a ticket, but after the new law, they were detained with a big possibility that they would be deported. …
One of our members moved to another state because they could not find a job. Others only have part-time work, a few hours in the week. The situation is very hard for them.
In this time ACCH (the Alianza para la Colaboración en la Comunidad Hispana, or Alliance for Collaboration with the Hispanic Community) began to have workshops about the new laws and how undocumented people could deal with these new issues. …
Our ESL (English as a second language) classes were affected. Some family members of our students were deported to Mexico or Guatemala, and they were very scared and stayed away from our classes.
L.S.: Do you have fewer people coming to worship? What are people saying?
C.G.: Yes, after the raid we had fewer people in our worship and Bible studies. This whole situation brings to our small congregation concern. The people live in stress and worry about the future. … This week another member decided to go back to Mexico. He was working in construction, but now it is very hard to find work. Other families said they will probably go to back to Mexico next year.
L.S.: What has this been like for the families affected?
C.G.: Our small congregation is looking for a way to help the affected people. We gave to the presbytery $500 to help cover the expenses for 28 families affected by the raid. And they helped pack and distribute food to the families with ankle bracelet monitors.
L.S.: What are they saying to you and what is life like for them now?
C.G. They are living in stress, every time when they see the police patrol, they are scared. They have hope with the new president and want changes in the immigration laws. They know to be here is a great opportunity for the children.
L.S.: How has all of this affected the immigrants’ faith?
C.G.: It is very hard for them to understand how a Christian country can make laws that affect the Hispanic community so harshly. They saw this raid was only for them, and not for immigrants from other countries. This is xenophobic and racial for the Hispanic community.
When they see our Presbyterian Church looking for a way to support and help them, this is a light in the darkness.
L.S.: Does it draw them closer to God or push them away?
C.G.: It works both ways. For our members, it is a great opportunity to depend on God and wait. But, many people have lost hope in God.
L.S.: What does it mean to them that the churches have been willing to help?
C.G.: Our Church needs to open their eyes, open their hearts, open their arms, and reach out to the Hispanic community, our brothers and sisters. They are children of God, they are created in the image of God; mostly they are here looking for a better life for their families. It is easy to make mission trips to other countries, but we have the opportunity to make mission here. This is a great opportunity to listen to the Scriptures and serve “one of the least of these” and remember, When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:33-34.
The Church needs to work for justice, mercy and advocate for a just immigration reform.
