In has been confirmed that people in this community are concerned about cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration! Earlier this week, 45 people came to Cornelius United Methodist Church to hear a presentation from two gifted Portland Community College students, hear from a staff person from the immigrant rights coalition CAUSA, and engage in conversation about how we can tell our stories and make our voices heard to our local officials. The focus for the conversation was Secure Communities, a name that should really be in quotes because it does not, in fact, make our communities more secure. This federal program allows ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) to have full access to the fingerprints of any person who enters into a local jail's system, whether or not that person is convicted of a crime. The program encourages racial profiling, breaks down trust between community members and law enforcement, and increases fear among those who are simply seeking to live in provide for their families.
Many participants in this community forum expressed an interest in being part of the ongoing conversation by doing things like telling their own stories, spreading the word, or visiting our county sheriff. It was life-giving to be in a room with so many who are committed to fighting injustice and to truly making our community better. I am especially grateful for the two Hispanic women who continued to bring this up after an initial conversation a month ago at the indoor play area. As their children happily stacked blocks, they asked me how we could make a community conversation like this happen. They helped me design the event, they did an incredible amount of publicity, and one of them spearheaded the hospitality. They are my neighbors and my friends, and they are a gift to me and to this community.
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