Wesley to Support the Undocumented Individuals in our Community.
Wesley to Support the Undocumented Individuals in our Community.
In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump stated that he would invoke Alien Enemies Act of 1798, to deport and “eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil.” The Alien Enemies Act was last invoked to illegally incarcerate 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, about two-thirds of whom were United States citizens. This is one of the most shameful chapters in U.S. history. We are alarmed by President Trump’s statement. We believe the use the Alien Enemies Act will be dangerous, and we cannot let it be used again. We will stand in solidarity with those who might be targeted by these mass deportations.
On January 21st, Mark Teagle, Wesley’s Director of Spiritual Formation, Community Engagement & Music; participated in a community vigil to support immigrants facing possible deportation after the Trump administration made changes to immigration policy that allows federal agents to arrest undocumented people inside churches, schools and hospitals. The theme of the vigil, which was sponsored by nonprofits and faith groups, was hope and healing. "We are scared of what's going to happen," a woman named Yanira who attended the vigil, said in Spanish. "I feel very unsafe," she said. "I feel fear.”
Likewise, last month Rev. John presided at Primera Iglesia’s Annual Church Conference. Primera Iglesia is a Spanish speaking United Methodist Church less than one mile from Wesley. Rev. John reported that, “At the end of the meeting when Primera Iglesia’s Pastor Gerardo Vasquez asked if anyone had any other issues to bring up, four people immediately said (in Spanish) “We are scared.” Wesley and Primera Iglesia are in discussions about how Wesley can support the undocumented persons at Primera Iglesia, so that they do not feel they are in this struggle alone. Rev. John stated, “As a Japanese American whose family was illegally incarcerated during WWII, I can understand the fear of the government and the isolation they must feel. We will work to stand in solidarity with the undocumented in our communities.”
Back on January 11th, Wesley also sponsored a Rapid Response Network training for over 200+ people in our Fellowship Hall. The Rapid Response Network is available 24 hours a day for anyone needing help with deportation. Immigrant rights supporters with the Rapid Response Network have successfully fought the deportation of people taken by federal agents. "We have a network that is here to support anyone facing possible deportation," said Maritza Maldonado of Amigos De Guadalupe Center for Justice & Empowerment.
Yanira, the woman who participated in January 21st community vigil said in an emotional plea to those who want to deport the undocumented and possibly invoke the Aliens Enemies Act, "We are not criminals. We are here to seek a better life, just like all immigrants in history."
On January 21st, Mark Teagle, Wesley’s Director of Spiritual Formation, Community Engagement & Music; participated in a community vigil to support immigrants facing possible deportation after the Trump administration made changes to immigration policy that allows federal agents to arrest undocumented people inside churches, schools and hospitals. The theme of the vigil, which was sponsored by nonprofits and faith groups, was hope and healing. "We are scared of what's going to happen," a woman named Yanira who attended the vigil, said in Spanish. "I feel very unsafe," she said. "I feel fear.”
Likewise, last month Rev. John presided at Primera Iglesia’s Annual Church Conference. Primera Iglesia is a Spanish speaking United Methodist Church less than one mile from Wesley. Rev. John reported that, “At the end of the meeting when Primera Iglesia’s Pastor Gerardo Vasquez asked if anyone had any other issues to bring up, four people immediately said (in Spanish) “We are scared.” Wesley and Primera Iglesia are in discussions about how Wesley can support the undocumented persons at Primera Iglesia, so that they do not feel they are in this struggle alone. Rev. John stated, “As a Japanese American whose family was illegally incarcerated during WWII, I can understand the fear of the government and the isolation they must feel. We will work to stand in solidarity with the undocumented in our communities.”
Back on January 11th, Wesley also sponsored a Rapid Response Network training for over 200+ people in our Fellowship Hall. The Rapid Response Network is available 24 hours a day for anyone needing help with deportation. Immigrant rights supporters with the Rapid Response Network have successfully fought the deportation of people taken by federal agents. "We have a network that is here to support anyone facing possible deportation," said Maritza Maldonado of Amigos De Guadalupe Center for Justice & Empowerment.
Yanira, the woman who participated in January 21st community vigil said in an emotional plea to those who want to deport the undocumented and possibly invoke the Aliens Enemies Act, "We are not criminals. We are here to seek a better life, just like all immigrants in history."
Posted in Newsletter 2025-02-20