Bishops offer help to immigrant families affected by Mississippi ICE raids
A group of Mississippi-based bishops representing multiple Christian denominations have released a statement pledging to support the families of illegal immigrants detained by immigration authorities.
The joint statement calls on churches “to act in love as a unified community” for those affected by the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Mississippi.
On Aug. 7, 680 people were arrested at seven food processing plants whose owners were suspected of employing undocumented workers. Of those arrested, 300 were released the same day. As of Saturday, only 40 individuals — some of whom had returned to the U.S. after multiple previous deportations — still remain in detention.
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In the statement released by the Catholic Diocese of Jackson on Aug. 9 following the raids, the bishops said: “We can stand in solidarity to provide solace, material assistance and strength for the separated and traumatized children, parents and families.”
“Of course, we are committed to a just and compassionate reform to our nation’s immigration system, but there is an urgent and critical need at this time to avoid a worsening crisis.”
The statement also quoted a letter sent by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to President Donald Trump last month. The letter warned that such raids “cause the unacceptable suffering of thousands of children and their parents, and create widespread panic in our communities.”
“We, the undersigned, condemn such an approach, which, as he [DiNardo] rightly states, ‘has created a climate of fear in our parishes and communities across the United States,’” the statement adds.
The bishops' statement also acknowledges that the debate over immigration reform is “complex,” and notes that Christians debating the issue “should all be held together by our baptismal promises.”
The joint statement was signed by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson; Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi; Bishop Brian R. Seage of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi; Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church; and Bishop H. Julian Gordy of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
In addition to the declaration of support, the joint statement directed readers to the website of the Jackson chapter of Catholic Charities, which listed specific efforts to assist families of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.
These included providing contact information for attorneys, a link explaining how to contact ICE about the status of a family member, and resources to help individuals handle the trauma of family separation.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, Mike Hurst, said the raids were “the largest single-state immigration enforcement operation in our nation's history.”
“Today, through the hard work of these men and women, we are once again becoming a nation of laws,” he said.
