En la iglesia Augustana Lutheran Church, the reverendo W. J. Mark Knutson declared that immigrants from Oregon who fear deportation had a safe place.
Augustana is an organization that provides sanctuary, and in 2014, it granted asylum to Francisco Aguirre, who is currently a member of the congregation, for eighty-one days after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service, or ICE as it is known in English, attempted to detain him without a court order.
“If you’re afraid of being deported due to unfair and odious laws, you’re welcome to come and look for that safe space,” Knutson said to a large number of people.
During the third annual service celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Knutson made his remarks with the focus of this article. We are here in the sanctuary, welcoming our immigrant brothers and sisters.
Many community members, religious and community leaders, and elected officials, including Senator Kayse Jama, a crata who represents the east side of Portland, gathered in Augustana, where they reaffirmed their support for the immigrant community during the service, which included music and a vigil with velas from the church.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has issued a number of executive orders, many of which are connected to his pledge to implement widespread immigration restrictions. The Trump administration has also moved to repeal the policies that prevented ICE officials from making arrests in reasonable locations, such as churches, hospitals, and schools, among others.
The policy that prevented ICE arrests in reasonable locations without authorization has been in effect since 2011. In 2021, Biden’s administration released a statement extending these reasons.
In the port of Augustana, a letrero declares: Augustana is a sanctuary. They don’t allow guns, pistols, or force.
Despite the changes in policy, Knutson told the peri-dico that the government has the moral authority to prevent ICE officials from entering. He mentioned that he has already had about ten calls from people who may be looking for asylum at the church, but no one has been contacted.
About 124 religious leaders from Oregon gathered recently for a training on the rights of immigrants and to learn how to turn their churches into sanctuary organizations for immigrants, according to Frank So, director executive of the organization Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
According to him, the religious rights were listed for action.
Although it is unclear exactly how the ICE agents’ sensible location policy changes are being implemented, the reversal has raised concerns. The topic also came up during a public meeting that was held in Portland on Sunday with US Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, where immigration and assistance were important topics.
Merkley stated that the changes that allow ICE agents to make arrests in reasonable locations, such as shelters for homeless people and other locations where people are not present, have caused great concern among the public.
Eliminating this would mean that ICE has no reservations to enter a hospital or school’s vest bulo, an iglesia’s sanctuary, or any other public space where there is no privacy concern, the statement read.
Aguirre, who has been in this country since August 29, sent a message to Trump during the August event.
“I regret that this is a time of odio and division,” the president said.
“What is needed is a migration reform,” he said. Even if you’re deported, you should know that you have support and not give up on your community. stated that it is undocumented and fearless.
“I’m with you because you’re also my father,” said the grand multitud.
He expressed concern that people are afraid to use the services they need.
In recent years, their organization’s food distribution has seen a decline in participation from 10% to 20% per night.
These are customers who require food security from our food delivery service, and we fear that, due to their migratory status, they may be refusing food assistance. These customers are families with hambre, which none of them should have to endure because of the new regulations and policies of this administration.
To translate the original English content into Spanish, artificial intelligence is used. A Hispanic-speaking periodist revised the text.
— Yesenia Amaro is an investigative journalist who focuses on communities of color. Do you have information about immigration history, deportations, or public assistance programs for immigrants in Oregon? Contact us at [email protected] or 503-221-4395.
