Father & Labor Rights Leader in Sanctuary Arrested: Take Emergency Action For Francisco
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Groundswell "Urgent action for Francisco TODAY" for Saturday, 8 November 2014
If Sanctuary isn't sacred, then what is? Yesterday, ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) retaliated against the sacred historical tradition of Sanctuary by arresting Francisco Aguirre.
Our church in Portland welcomed Francisco into Sanctuary to keep his family from being torn apart. So yesterday, dozens of local clergy and supporters accompanied Francisco to an unrelated court hearing. But the second Francisco stepped into the courtroom and beyond the arms of faith leaders, he was taken into custody on the likelihood that he will be deported.
Francisco is raising 3 children, is a local labor rights leader, has lived in the US for 20 years, and is a beloved member of his community. As allies, friends, and supporters of the Sanctuary Movement, we need to express our outrage that Francisco would be targeted in this way.
When President Obama promised and then delayed relief for our undocumented neighbors, we felt betrayed. But we came together to revive the Sanctuary Movement to stand in the gap and protect families facing deportations, like Francisco's.
But if Francisco can be taken away, who is next? Will ICE come to other houses of worship and take our neighbors after we promised to help keep their families together?
We call on U.S. Attorney for Oregon Amanda Marshall, President Obama and Secretary Jeh Johnson to act quickly and with compassion – to release Francisco Aguirre back into Sanctuary, and to take administrative action to provide relief for all families.
As people of faith, we are in the business of justice, mercy, and second chances. Francisco had been accused of driving under the influence and is the first to admit he has made mistakes. But we call on America to live up to its best self, to make sure a mistake doesn't mean a father never gets to see his kids again. Please stand with the Sanctuary Movement and with Francisco.
Thank you for your solidarity,
Pastor Mark Knutson
Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon
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Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon
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