Clergy members from diverse religious backgrounds are attending deportation hearings in California to support immigrants, particularly asylum seekers. Their presence aims to provide spiritual comfort and assert moral authority, highlighting the faith principle of welcoming strangers. The initiative started due to concerns over routine court appearances resulting in immigrants being detained without a chance to prepare. In some cases, the presence of clergy has reportedly disrupted ICE actions. This effort emphasizes compassion for the migrants and aims to make them feel remembered amidst legal proceedings.
Cook knows the presence of clergy won't necessarily change the outcome of the legal proceedings - though in at least one instance last month, ICE agents scattered when clergy showed up at a courthouse in San Diego. If nothing else, they hope to offer spiritual comfort, so the immigrants know they're not forgotten.
There's a big piece of [our faith] that's about welcoming the stranger, about treating immigrants with compassion and care. We're there trying to appeal to a higher authority than ICE.
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