10 years ago — November 30, 2009
“It is estimated that approximately 12 million undocumented people reside in the United States and another estimated 300,000 come each year, according to materials from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Immigration Issues.
“By the end of 2009, more than 440,00 immigrants will be incarcerated at a network of county jails and for-profit prisons at a cost of approximately $2 billion annually, according to the Office of Immigration’s website. …
“As compelling as the statistics are, Candie Blankman, pastor of First Church in Downey, California, began to research issues of immigration and undocumented workers for a different reason. Her own congregation included folks for whom the ‘issue’ – debated, in sound bites, the media and in government – were real and personal.” A two-day forum on immigration was held at her church. “What we are really hoping is to make it possible for people to have reasonable conversations. … It was designed not just to get information to people, but to give them opportunities to talk.” Often conversations around immigration tend to be polarizing and incriminating, not based on facts or connected to real people, Blankman added.
From “Immigration forum: Loving neighbors, even undocumented?” by Erin Dunigan
