Statement for Los Angeles on the Care of Immigrants

I’ve been paying attention to the places across our city, state, and country where our immigrant neighbors are being detained. I’ve seen reports of ICE going into neighborhoods, court buildings, stores, and schools, and separating families. Have you, too, heard the children’s cries for “mama”, or the mother’s cries for her children as she is forced into a van? These are my people, for I too come from an immigrant family. And I am brokenhearted by what I see.

The immigrants targeted are not criminals, but people who showed up for court because they have been following the laws, people who went to work, children who went to school. Immigrants are people who work hard at being citizens of the heart and they make the USA and our state a better place.

As we have been working together to protect, to show up, and to get our voices heard, there is both a sense of hopelessness and courage. And in the struggle, en la lucha, I thought of this scripture from Psalm 34:17-18:

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

Tonight, I am calling on all Christ-following people, and on all tenderhearted people, to stand with those who are being ripped apart from their families. Speak to your politicians. March in peaceful protest. While you are there, make sure everyone is safe and responds in peace. Be witnesses on the streets so that the horror does not happen under cover. Pray for those whose cries you hear. Pray for the ICE agents to lay down their weapons. Pray for the leaders of our world, asking that they would seek peace above all. Pray for justice to prevail, because we all know that without justice, there is no peace. Attend prayer vigils. Hold one in your church or your neighborhood. Act, pray, and rise up where you see injustice and harm.

And tonight, I am calling for those in power to remove their weapons of warfare from our loving neighborhoods, our peaceful cities, and our welcoming states. Use your power for good, and not for evil. Protect those who suffer, including the immigrant brothers, sisters, and neighbors among us. Use your time and your expertise to pass laws to correct the unjust system we have inherited. Stop the harm that comes from our own governmental system. Do good. Do no harm. Stay in love with the people you work for.

The Psalm above reminds us that God hears us when we are crying out for help. God draws close to those whose hearts have been broken. God works with us to protect those who need help from those who do harm.

We are not alone. God is with us. I am praying for all of us as we respond to hate with love, to violence with loud cries, and to harmful deeds with acts of justice. Together, and with God’s help, we can have courage in even moments like these.

Grace y paz,
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank
Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles Area
The United Methodist Church