Holding signs like “Jesus loves everyone, including the undocumented,”
those gathered were reminded that Big Tent almost switched locations
because of Indiana’s proposed immigration legislation, HB 1402.
“Presbyterians were able stop the most egregious part of the bill,” said
the Rev. Tony Aja, coordinator of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the
Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky. Holding up a copy of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)’s policy statement on immigration, Aja reminded the gathering
that “Presbyterians stand with immigrants, especially undocumented
immigrants.”
Church leaders considered moving the Big Tent event from Indianapolis
after the 219th General Assembly (2010) voted to “refrain from holding
national meetings at hotels in those states where travel by immigrant
Presbyterians of color or Hispanic ancestry might subject them to
harassment due to legislation similar to Arizona Law SB 1070/HB2162.
“The Indiana bill still contains objectionable language that we consider
inhospitable and unjust toward immigrants,” said Gradye Parson, stated
clerk of the General Assembly. “But it fell short of racial profiling. We
are here today to lift up publicly our policy on just immigration,” he said,
and “to stand with Whitewater Valley Presbytery for comprehensive
immigration reform and against anti-immigration legislation.”
A diverse group of community and church leaders showed their solidarity
and support for the PC(USA) public witness in support of immigrants.
Reminding his hearers what it was like to live through the Jim Crow
laws, the Rev. C.L. Clay, president of Concerned Clergy in Indianapolis,
quipped, “We don’t want you to have you live through ‘Jose laws.’ We must
take a stand now for the sake of children’s children’s children.”
Fred Diego, an Indiana University student, spoke of coming to America as
a 2-year-old with his parents, who were undocumented immigrants. After
living in Indiana, going through the school system and graduating from high
school near the top of his class, HB 1402 made him ineligible for in-state
tuition because of his undocumented status.
“This is why we are in support of the [federal] Dream Act,” said event
organizer the Rev. Felipe Martinez, associate executive presbyter for
Whitewater Valley Presbytery. “This national legislation would make an
exception for those who go to high school here, or serve in the military.
That’s why we need comprehensive reform. This state-by-state legislation
isn’t working. Too much of it is based on fear.”
Paul Seebeck is a communications associate for Communications and Funds
Development assigned to Evangelism and Church Growth Ministries. He
was a general assignment reporter for PNS during Big Tent.
