On a street in a tiny residential pocket of Portland’s South Waterfront, a small group of pastors and other faith leaders gathers outside the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility each weekday morning. These pastors, some wearing clerical collars and stoles, assist immigrants who are attending citizenship appointments.
“We are an authority for love and comfort and peacemaking,” said Heather Hellman, pastor at Multnomah Presbyterian Church. She contrasted the faith leaders with the ICE agents on rooftops with their guns pointed at the crowds.
Hellman is part of the Clergy Presence Program, a collaboration between Together Lab and the Presbytery of the Cascades. Together Lab is an interfaith coalition that is collaborating with the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition (PIRC) on this project. Their goal: to accompany immigrants arriving for citizenship or immigration appointments and to bear witness if detentions occur.
Human rights workers and clergy receive an emergency contact for each person entering the building, in case of an emergency. Volunteers offer legal information, resources and support.
“The clergy volunteers are a friendly helper face in their collars and stoles,” Hellman said. “They spend time trying to distract the right-wing protesters and provide pastoral care with the people in the neighborhood who have tear gas going into their homes. They encourage and listen to the people at the facility.”
Some nearby residents and a charter school relocated this summer, citing the effects of crowd-control devices and chemical agents.
The faith leaders find their morning shifts both disturbing and hopeful. Hellman said they’ve seen immigrants detained even when their legal paperwork is in order. Yet the actual presence of the clergy is changing people’s minds about church and faith.
“People have said to me, ‘I didn’t know churches could do good things.’” — Heather Hellman
“People have said to me, ‘I didn’t know churches could do good things,’” Hellman said. “People see me as a helper because of my collar.”
Ron Werner, co-director of Together Lab and an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church (ELCA), said that the Clergy Presence Program has seen 85 clergy take morning shifts at both the federal courthouse in Portland and the ICE site.
“We are here to make the injustice visible and work toward change,” he said. “Clergy can play a unique role at a time like this.”
The work has taken a toll on Hellman. Her doctor told her not to return because of dust inhalation from chemical munitions used during confrontations nearby. She didn’t go to the site for a few weeks, but she has since returned. “I can’t stay away,” she admitted. “It’s hard not to be there every day.”
Her congregation has supported her efforts. “My church has been very supportive, and members often accompany me,” she said.
Hellman is trying to counteract what she says is a false narrative that the Portland protests are aggressive and violent. President Trump has called Portland “war-ravaged.”
“It’s not as scary as it seems,” said Hellman.
“The ICE site is largely nonviolent and peaceful,” said Werner.
Hellman described the site as “basically one street, a tiny area.” She also said that the scene at the protests is basically “whimsical” with young adults in inflatable costumes, a group of knitters, and even a pajama party on one day.
“We are here to make the injustice visible and work toward change.” — Ron Werner
“Portlanders are trying to bring joy and whimsy and hope to a scary situation,” said Hellman.
“It’s frustrating to hear people say the city is on fire,” said Hellman. “Portland is not a military target. This is our home. It is a nice place.”
“Every day, ordinary neighbors are finding each other and showing compassion,” said Werner. “Hope is present in what is being stitched together here.”
Hellman said Portlanders are just trying to tell a different story. She, too, finds hope in the situation.
“I am really glad the community of believers are stepping up and joining together,” said Hellman.
“We can show a different side of what church can be — who followers of Jesus really are.”
