Why Immigration?

As many of you know, I have become involved in the immigration reform "movement." In addition to my role as a pastor, I serve on our Annual Conference Church and Society Ministry Team with a specific role as the Refugee/Immigration Coordinator (RIMCOR).

People often ask me why I have chosen this area of advocacy and my first response is "I didn't - God chose it for me." You see, for 15 years I served in local churches that were 100% white. Even in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the congregation I served was homogeneous.

Then, 3 1/2 years ago, I was appointed to serve the Willmar United Methodist Church. My initial thought was rural, county seat community = homogeneity (another all white community). That thought was quickly dispelled.

Moving here, I learned of the great diversity present. I was told that approximately 20% of the population was Latino, about 5% Somali, and a smaller percentage of a number of other ethnic backgrounds. When our daughter started kindergarten, her class was 50% white and 50% "non-native."

At the same time we moved here, a Spanish-language ministry had begun meeting in the church. The ministry, led by a man named Tomas, was enthusiastically teaching the gospel through bi-lingual songs, prayers, readings, and a sermon.

Tomas quickly became a friend. He and his wife and their four children made quite an impression on our family, and we talked often. One morning - a weekday morning when Tomas should have been at work and the children in school - Tomas and his entire family showed up at my office. I invited them in and they anxiously told me about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that had taken place in Willmar the previous day. Some of their friends, including two people from their ministry (one who was an accomplished musician and led music for their service) had been detained and their whereabouts was unknown. Many others from the Latino community had gone into hiding - afraid to show up at work or school for fear that ICE was still in the area. Tomas and his family had left their mobile home and spent the night at a friend's home in the city, where they felt safer. Throughout the community, there was a noticeable absence of Latinos.

I had listened to their story of fear and feelings of intimidation. In addition, I knew that the scriptures of Christians and Jews, the Bible, have a lot to say about "resident aliens," "foreigners in your midst," "sojourners and strangers among you." How a society treats strangers, foreigners and resident aliens is arguably a major focus, even preoccupation, of the Bible. I knew then that I could not sit idly and do nothing.

Since that time, I have written a piece of legislation for our Annual Conference. I have attended training sessions and workshops in New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. I have spoken at events, assisted in leading workshops, and participated in both a march on the Capital Mall and a local Interfaith Prayer Vigil. I have sat in the offices of my Senators and Representative in DC, and communicated with politicians at the state and city level.

For me, all of this boils down to one simple understanding - all persons are created in the image of God, and all persons are deserving of worth and respect. Some will argue, "But they're illegal," or accuse me of supporting "the illegals." But to me, no human being is illegal (undocumented, maybe, but certainly not illegal). And until something happens that allows my friends like Tomas to come out of the shadows, I will continue the fight.

Care to join me? Let's chat!