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Immigrant Sanctuary
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In the Humboldt Park area of Chicago, a young single mother has brought new attention to the complex challenges of enforcing existing U.S. immigration laws. On August 15th, 2006, Elvira Arellano was to surrender for deportation. Instead, she sought refuge in her United Methodist church where she has become a symbol of a broken system. Reed Galin visited her earlier this year. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Chicago, Ill.)
There’s a world outside her window, but Elvira Arellano never steps out
of her small Chicago apartment above Adalberto United Methodist Church.
The storefront church has provided refuge since she defied a deportation
order to go back to Mexico. Arellano and her son Saulito
-- born in the
U.S. -- have lived in these five rooms and the pews downstairs since
August 2006.
Elvira Arellano/Member, Adalberto United Methodist Church: “I came here
because my son is a citizen, and if I go back to Mexico with him,
Saulito is not going to have the benefits and the life that maybe he
would have here.”
Arellano has twice entered the country illegally. She was arrested while
cleaning planes at O’Hare Airport, using a fake Social Security number.
Elvira Arellano: “For me it’s no crime to go out and search for a better
life for my family.”
Immigration agents could come at any time but haven’t, perhaps because
the situation has become symbolic to many people.
Ann Cline/Member, Adalberto United Methodist Church: “She is an
inspiration. She does not look for her own comfort.”
Church members visit constantly, take care of their laundry, buy their
groceries, escort Saulito to and from school.
Irma Romer/Member, Adalberto United Methodist Church: “We all are
involved, all the congregation. A single woman, mother of a child … it’s
very hard.”
In this low income area, immigration issues are a daily part of life.
The Rev. Walter Coleman/Pastor, Adalberto United Methodist Church: “Our
church was really founded by 125 families, about half of which were
undocumented. Civil disobedience is a tradition of our church.
Non-violent civil disobedience which also includes a willingness to
accept the consequences. Her witness has been very important to the
debate about immigration in this country. It’s a family issue, a human
issue.”
Officially, the United Methodist Church has not endorsed what Pastor
Coleman's church has done, but regional leaders say local churches can
make a "witness" through their ministry, and that historically the
church has been a place of refuge for people in need. Arellano and her
supporters say they will not resist if the federal authorities do come.
Elvira Arellano: “By what I'm doing I’m also letting people know laws
don’t change until people come out and organize and work together.”
TAG:
In the time since Elvira Arellano took refuge at Adalberto United
Methodist, congregations of many denominations have joined the
“sanctuary movement,” pledging to shelter families facing deportation in
order to bring attention to the need for immigration reform on a
national level.
To reach Adalberto United Methodist Church, call 773-782-8464.
(Editor’s note: On August 19, 2007 Arellano was arrested in Los Angeles
and deported to Mexico.)