On October 13th, West/Southwest IAF and Bishop Mark Seitz (Catholic - El Paso) hosted a seminar in El Paso with leaders from across the country to “Reimagine Immigration.” 

Leaders provided historical, political, and data-based context for the anxiety and terror experienced by our immigrant congregants, neighbors, and loved ones, and the impact of current immigration enforcement practices on our institutions. They were joined by panelists Bishop Michael Pham Minhn Cường (Catholic - San Diego), Bishop Jorge Rodríguez (Catholic - Denver), and Bishop Carlo Rapanut (UMC - Phoenix). Special guests included Bob Moore, publisher of El Paso Matters.

71.5% of the 59,762 people held in detention (as of September 21) by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have no criminal record. Although 85% of Americans favor a pathway to citizenship, daily ICE arrests increased by 633% at the peak of the summer surge this year.

Leaders in attendance accepted the call to action to share what they learned with their communities, and identify and advance strategies to act in solidarity with their immigrant neighbors.

The seminar followed the “Reimagine El Paso” gathering, during which Bishop Mark Seitz asked the crowd:

"What has happened to our heart? What has happened to the word compassion?

"Today, in this country and in this world, sometimes I wonder if I can even recognize our country. Because we were founded on these principles and our Statue of Liberty has stood where so many of our immigrants have entered as a sign of hope, as a place of justice."

[Photo credit: Rafael Paz Parra]