We are — all of us –in some sense immigrants and sojourners, strangers in a strange land seeking a homeland. Some of us or members of our families have personally experienced hardships and, at times, unspeakable indignities, in coming to America. Others of us fortunate to have been born here have trekked into the desert wilderness to see for ourselves the migrant path of tears and triumph.

As a people of faith committed to dismantling oppressive systems and building structures and communities that reflect God’s compassion and justice, we must do no less than make straight a highway in the desert for our sisters and brothers. Remembering Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves, the Immigration Task Force (ITF) seeks to educate the parish and the community about the plight of immigrants and the root causes of migration.

“For me it all started with my involvement organizing ASC members to participate in the massive immigrant-rights protests of 2006” says Task Force leader Carlos Carrillo. “The support from Ed Bacon inspired me to work with Francisco Garcia and other members of the Peace & Justice ministry on a resolution on comprehensive immigration reform that was adopted by the Vestry of All Saints Church, on October 7, 2008.”

“Now more than ever I feel the calling to stand-up for those who have no voice and especially for the “DREAMERS” and the passing of the DREAM Act— an effort to provide legal status for young immigrants who were brought to the country as children.”

Carlos has continued that commitment by being part of our delegation to the 2016 Diocesan Convention where we adopted a comprehensive resolution naming Los Angeles as a Sanctuary Diocese and including the pledge “to resist the stated policy proposals of the newly elected Trump administration to target and deport millions of undocumented immigrants, and to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that has granted temporary relief for thousands of young people in our communities and families.”

Now more than ever living out the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves requires us to stand in solidarity with those targeted by hate due to immigration status or some perceived status of difference as we work alongside our friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people.

For more information on the Immigration Task Force please visit our table on the lawn on Sunday, December 11th or contact Ada Ramirez at aramirez@allsaints-pas.org or call (626)583-2734