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Members of Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist church in Carbondale, Colorado, are not waiting to see if a more aggressive deportation policy in the United States will affect members of the community. They are making their decision to provide sanctuary public so that members of the community can seek them out if they are under threat of deportation. "It has been well-received,” said the Rev. Shawna Foster, the congregation’s minister, “with people who are trying to gain their citizenship relieved to know that there is a place to go to if things get desperate and their appeals are not heard." ( Aspen Times– 9.4.17)
Members of Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend, Washington, joined some 50 local activists in a demonstration outside of the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma to show their support for immigrant detainees. The detention center is an immigration prison with a current capacity to hold 1,575 prisoners, making it one of the largest immigration prisons in the United States and the largest on the West Coast. ( ptleader.com– 9.6.17)
Community members in York, Pennsylvania, came out to support immigrants in response to President Trump’s decision to rescind the successful Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. Carlos Gonzalez benefitted from DACA, and he shared his experience with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York. "If you look at the guidelines for the program, you have to pass a very difficult background check, make sure you're not a criminal, and we're not eligible for any type of public benefits," Gonzalez said. ( Fox 43– 9.7.17)
The Rev. Joe Cherry, with the Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland, Ohio, joined a candlelight vigil where DACA recipients, sometimes called “Dreamers,” shared their personal stories. Cherry attended the vigil to show support for Dreamers and observed, “I know that we are a land built by people who landed on our shores,” he said. “Either by choice or not, long ago or not, every one of our families comes from somewhere else. ( KentWired.com– 9.7.17)
More coverage:
“Congregation considers civil disobedience of becoming sanctuary” (Post Bulletin – 9.1.17)
“All Souls Church takes in first sanctuary seekers” (Colorado Springs Independent – 9.6.17)
“Southern Illinois Immigrant Rights Project hosts vigil, rally in support of DACA students” (The Southern – 9.6.17)