"Just as they have beaten at my door, they
are beating at the door of thousands, forcefully separating
children and parents and causing terror and suffering .... I
believe in my heart that the people of this nation do not have
hate in their hearts, they don't want to destroy our lives, our
families and our communities. I accept what God has sent me to
accept. But I ask of my community ... to join together with me
and ask that we walk together for our dignity. I ask everyone of
conscience and good will to join with us... the 12th of
September."
These words were written by Elvira
Arrellano, from the Chicago church where she sought sanctuary
for a year to avoid deportation and separation from her son, a
U.S. citizen. When she left the church in August to promote
Sept. 12 as a day to speak out against deportations, she was
arrested and deported, leaving her son behind.
Elvira's arrest is significant not because it
is unusual, but because it is common, even here, in Larimer
County. Locally, authorities send about 30 people monthly to
Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation. Since the
beginning of 2006, about 10,000 people in Colorado have been
processed for deportation. Every person deported leaves someone
behind.
David couldn't get his baby girl to eat
after ICE took his wife. His three U.S. citizen children, a
6-month old breastfeeding baby, a 2- and a 5-year old, were
crying and looking for their mother, who was deported two days
after her arrest, without saying goodbye to her children.
Harriet, an 80-year-old widow, lost her
granddaughter and two great-granddaughters when her
grandson-in-law was deported and his family accompanied him.
Before his deportation, Harriet looked forward to their daily
visits. Now, she spends her days alone, missing her girls.
Lisa's husband was turned over to ICE for
a broken taillight after living here for 13 years. As Lisa and
her 7-year-old son, both U.S. citizens, packed up daddy's
things, her son couldn't stop crying. "I don't want my daddy to
go to Mexico," he sobbed.
A person is no less human because she or
he lacks immigration papers. Deportations destroy children and
families and communities. The people deported in our community
are your neighbors, co-workers, members of your church and your
children's playmates. The majority have committed no crime other
than to have no immigration papers. They came here to escape
persecution or hunger, or to unite with family. They become part
of our communities, our families and our economy.
Current immigration laws do little more
than cause suffering and injustice. They don't allow people to
enter legally to work or be with family, or legalize their
status. We must stop punishing families for dysfunctional laws
and devise an immigration system that works for families and for
America.
Fuerza Latina, together with families,
faith and community organizations, will have a vigil at 6:30
p.m. Wednesday in Old Town Square in honor of Elvira and all
families. Please join us.