Glimmers of light for immigrants

Arecent editorial (Our View, March 11) was titled, “Dark days for immigrants.” It’s hard to take issue with this title as you read in graphic detail the consequences of the uncommon meanness of the Trump administration’s policies on immigration.

Dreamers, these special young people who came here as children, are treated as pawns in games played by politicians; parents are separated from their children, immigrants are arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at their places of work and in their homes. Not mentioned in the editorial are the for-profit detention centers burgeoning with persons slated for deportation.

The editorial highlights the JapaneseAmericans who were placed in detention camps during World War II as another shameful action by our government. This reminded me of listening to an old-timer telling about going to the train station to watch as families were transferred to buses that transported them to such a camp right here in Santa Fe. “I didn’t know what else to do,” he told me.

Nobel Prize-winning writer and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and humans who faced grotesque meanness in other times and places get beneath our skin and into our consciences with their observation that the cruelty inflicted on them by their captors was easier to bear than the apathy of their friends and neighbors who did nothing as they were carted off.

“As all of this takes place, life goes on. …” But, as the editorial adds, “Life is no longer normal for too many of our friends, relatives and neighbors.” These words are a clarion call for us to walk alongside immigrants in our midst who make us stronger.

In these dark days, there are glimmers of light in our sanctuary city of Holy Faith, opportunities to join hands and hearts with our immigrant friends and neighbors. Be on the lookout for beacons of hope like these:

Recently, San Isidro Catholic Church hosted a training session for immigrant families on how to protect themselves from ICE agents at work as well as in their homes. I sat behind several families as they listened to leaders from Somos Un Pueblo Unido tell them, for example, that ICE agents cannot barge in without a warrant and so to keep their doors locked. Husbands and wives moved closer together and held their children tightly as they took stock of the grave peril they are in. Friends, relatives and neighbors need to surround them with compassion in moments like this. Be on the lookout for such opportunities.

As you can well imagine, we are now at the point where immigrants are afraid to go to work, to keep doctor’s appointments, to send their children to school. Leaders in the Santa Fe Faith Network for Immigrant Justice are getting ready to raise funds and resources to keep roofs over their heads and food on their tables. Watch for information in your faith communities and in the news about how you can help.

Mark 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, in your calendars and plan to attend a Multifaith Service for Immigrant Justice at San Isidro Catholic Church, preceded by breaking of bread from 6 to 7 p.m. Faith leaders from across the city, along with Dreamers, Somos and members of the larger community, are shaping what promises to be a powerful service around the theme, Healing Hearts, Building Hope. Be on the lookout for fliers and details.

These are dark days for immigrants and for all of us. But for those with the eyes to see, glimmers of light mark the outline of our pathway forward.