An increasing number of Anabaptist churches across the US are witnessing detention and deportation of their members by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The trend has raised concerns among church leaders, who fear that asylum cases are being unfairly dismissed, leaving families in a precarious situation.
According to reports from various congregations, including Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio in Texas and West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Ohio, members have been detained or deported due to suspected immigration violations. The issue has sparked fears among churchgoers, who worry that ICE agents may be targeting Anabaptist communities.
Dianne Garcia, pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio, emphasized that every asylum seeker has a legitimate reason for seeking sanctuary. “Almost everyone has suffered trauma that we can’t even imagine here — the death of a loved one by a gang, the death or serious illness of a loved one due to inadequate medical care, years of abuse or domestic violence,” she said.
The situation is often underreported due to fear and trust issues. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, one in four US adults worry that they or someone close to them could be deported. This concern is compounded by the fact that many asylum seekers are denied “valid” cases due to narrow definitions of persecution or torture.
Churches like First Mennonite Church of San Francisco and Upland Peace Church in California have reported instances of ICE detentions, with members facing deportation despite having legitimate asylum claims. The churches are responding by providing support and connecting families with immigration lawyers.
Mennonite Action is developing training resources for congregations to effectively respond to ICE detentions. The organization aims to build rapid response decision-making structures within churches, connect with local groups on the ground, and mobilize church members to take action in critical moments.
As the situation continues to unfold, church leaders are urging families affected by ICE detentions to seek help and support. Adam Allen, a member of Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship, experienced termination from his job after supporting an immigrant chaplain who was detained by ICE. His story highlights the human cost of ICE’s actions and the need for churches to stand together in solidarity.
The trend of detaining nonviolent immigrants at court hearings has grown over the summer, with ICE aiming to double its detention capacity by the end of this year. The issue is likely to remain a contentious topic until further changes are made to address the concerns of Anabaptist communities and their members.
Source: https://anabaptistworld.org/detentions-deportations-multiply-immigrants-fear