Invisibility leads to explotation

Art exhibit focuses on most vulnerable

Invisibility would be fun, right? Imagine the things you could observe and the conversations you could hear. Invisibility is a frequent theme in film and literature — remember Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility? If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do?

But there is another side to invisibility. Ralph Ellison’s 1952 novel The Invisible Man describes the protagonist’s experience as an African-American in a society that leaves him well on the periphery of white opportunity. Invisible.

And there are layers of invisibility. Those in a minority group might feel invisible. Those who struggle financially might feel invisible. Women and children in these groups might feel especially invisible. But there is even greater invisibility — even in Northwest Arkansas.

Did you know that the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has a partnership (287g) with the federal Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement? This means, if our deputies stop someone for rolling through a stop sign and that person does not have legal status to be in our country, the deputy can detain him for violation of immigration law.

That sounds fine, doesn’t it? But let’s think this through.

My conversations with Hispanic-Americans — legal residents and undocumented aliens — tell another story. For example, if a legally documented elementary student is being bullied at school, do you think the student will reach out to the school resource officer if he fears the deportation of his parents? Will an undocumented single mother who is being beaten by her boyfriend call the sheriff’s office for protection if it means she or other family members will end up in jail?

For the month of September, my church is hosting a traveling exhibit called Artifacts of Human Trafficking. Created by a consortium of artists from Austin, Texas, these pictures, sculptures and interactive pieces express the despair, vulnerability and commoditization of the most vulnerable people you and I probably will never meet. Mostly women and girls without documented status, people who are trafficked are typically abused and overworked — and they are invisible. Do you think they would call the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for help?

Our blessed part of the world has tragic problem. Because of the number of immigrants who come to our area for employment and opportunity, there are those who are susceptible to the evil of human traffickers.

You are invited to view Artifacts of Human Trafficking at Rolling Hills Baptist Church in the month of September, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday. I hope you will attend and understand more about this heart-breaking issue. And I also hope you will consider the implications when our own sheriff’s department extends beyond the service and protection of Washington County residents and does the work of federal immigration enforcement.