Hispanic group decries hostile climate for immigrants

Thousands of immigrants and supporters rally on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in March 2006. A UMNS file photo by Rick Reinhard.

By United Methodist News Service

In an open letter to United Methodists, a church-related organization is declaring that a hostile U.S. climate toward immigrants has resulted in "millions of Latinos and Latinas living in fear, threat and intimidation."

The letter from Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans-- known as MARCHA--calls upon United Methodists to remember the plight of immigrants this Christmas and beyond.

"During this Christmas season, when we remember the Christ child born to parents journeying in a foreign land for the sake of their survival, we invite The United Methodist Church to join MARCHA in standing against the negative and anti-Latino forces and voices around us," the letter says. "Let us be truly The United Methodist Church."

The letter is signed by retired Bishop Elias Galvan, MARCHA's interim chief executive, and the Rev. David Maldonado Jr., president. They cite several challenges that Latinos are facing in U.S. society-challenges that are exacerbated by the national debate over immigration.

"Latinos face daily suspicion of their citizenship and rights as residents of our communities," the letter says. "They are subjected to racial profiling and suspicion as they seek employment, housing, or simply driving down the street."

Requiring Latino families "to prove their citizenship in order to rent a house, to be employed or enroll their children in school" is nothing less than "legalized racism," in MARCHA's opinion.

"Latino immigrants are receiving the harshest treatment in recent history in the long procession of ethnic immigration," the letter charges. "The issue of undocumentation has released a flood of racial negativity, harsh treatment, and, more alarming, a marked increase of hate crimes against Hispanic/ Latino people."

MARCHA is urging United Methodists to oppose this treatment, as well as anti-immigrant and anti-Latino laws enacted by cities and states, and to support those subjected to such treatment.

The United Methodist Church, in its Book of Resolutions, advocates for fair and sensitive treatment of immigrants. A resolution titled "Immigrants and Refugees: To Love the Sojourner" notes that since 1996, U.S. immigration law and policies "have been moving toward greater restriction on immigration and less protection of immigrants' and refugees' rights. Immigrants are singled out for harsh punishment under immigration law for minor and even very old criminal violations. … Immigrants' rights to due process of the law are increasingly being circumscribed by nearly all the branches of government, using tactics ranging from judicial review to detention without bond."

The resolution, readopted in 2004 by the denomination's legislative assembly, notes also that "people of faith and good will are needed to encourage leadership at home and abroad and, especially, in our churches; and to have the courage to speak up for the newly vulnerable people put at risk in the rush to provide for our own safety. We must remember that God's household is bigger than our own."

Another resolution calls upon United Methodists to practice hospitality and express commitment to an inclusive church and society through all the church's ministries.

AN OPEN LETTER FROM MARCHA
(Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans)

TO ALL UNITED METHODISTS
Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We greet you in the name of our Savior, the Resurrected Christ.

We write to you on behalf of millions of Latinos and Latinas living in fear, threat, and intimidation due to the hostile climate generated by the political and social attitudes towards immigrants and Latinos in particular. Latinos face daily suspicion of their citizenship and rights as residents of our communities. They are subjected to racial profiling and suspicion as they seek employment, housing, or simply driving down the street. Latinos are forced to prove their citizenship and prove that they have a right to live in their communities like any other citizen or resident.

Communities and states across the country are enacting laws and practices that are having a severe impact on the daily lives of our families and neighbors. Children born in this country are increasingly treated as persons without rights. Latino families have to prove their citizenship in order to rent a house, to be employed, or enroll their children in school. These are harsh practices that are not applied to the general population. Because of our color, culture, and language Latinos are singled out for suspicion and unfair treatment. This is legalized racism.

Latino immigrants are receiving the harshest treatment in recent history in the long procession of ethnic immigration. The issue of undocumentation has released a flood of racial negativity, harsh treatment and, more alarming, a marked increase of hate crimes against Hispanic/ Latino people. Undocumented immigrants are treated as criminals and public enemies. They are defined as a threat to our nation when, in fact, they simply come with an urgent desire to work in order for their families to survive. They are the vulnerable sojourners in our midst. Yet, for political benefit and other agendas, Latino immigrants are denied their humanity.

The United Methodist Church has a proud and faithful history of standing with those who are oppressed and subject to such racist practices and attitudes. MARCHA calls upon The United Methodist Church to challenge and oppose the current wave of anti-Latino demagoguery, treatment, and public ordinances intended to suppress a people. We invite you to stand with those who are subjected to such senseless and unjust treatment. The United Methodist Church needs to oppose city ordinances and state laws that are grounded on anti-immigrant and anti-Latino attitudes intended to frighten and intimidate Latinos and force them to live in fear or leave these communities.

During this Christmas season when we remember the Christ child born to parents journeying in a foreign land for the sake of their survival, we invite the United Methodist Church to join MARCHA in standing against the negative and anti-Latino forces and voices around us. Let us be truly The United Methodist Church.

Bishop Elias Galvan, Interim Executive Director

Dr. David Maldonado, Jr.
President