Faith community in Des Moines holds pro-immigration reform faith in action vigil; tells congress we want reform now

Over 150 people from many different denominations gathered on February 2, 2010 to hear stories of hardship from immigrants, pray and take action to tell Congress that they want action on comprehensive immigration reform.  The faith community in Des Moines wants comprehensive reform that will provide a pathway to citizenship, reunite families and protect workers.

 

In Des Moines reform advocates gathered at Trinity/Las Americas United Methodist Church in Representative Leonard Boswell’s district to call for comprehensive immigration reform. The work to pass comprehensive immigration reform in the faith community in Iowa underscores the urgency that Iowans feel about finally fixing our broken immigration system.

 

“As people of faith, we are deeply concerned about the direction our country is moving on immigration. The stories we hear from families and workers who are suffering at the hands of this broken system makes it clear that it’s not a question of whether Congress should pass comprehensive immigration reform, but when. We can’t afford more delay – it’s time to fix our broken immigration system,” remarked Pastor Barb Dinnen of Trinity/Las Americas. “We can no longer remain silent, we want action from our elected leaders and as people of faith, it is our responsibility to put humanity and compassion back into the public dialogue on immigration.”

 

“We’re here to tell our Representative and Senators that we want comprehensive immigration reform. Our children deserve a better future than we got when we came here. Parents face real trauma because we have no way to deliver the future that our children deserve. Our children are in trauma because they are trapped in a system that denies them access to higher education, access to citizenship and being a part of the society that they call home,” said one of the immigrants who spoke. “We are all one, now is the time to claim our unity and work together for change” said another speaker, Manuel Catalan.

 

 “We do not believe that nothing can be done,” said Pastor Dinnen. “We believe firmly in the power of prayer and firmly in the power of action.” Des Moines’ event was part of a nationwide mobilization of Interfaith Americans demanding action for comprehensive immigration reform. At pro-reform faith events across the country, Americans gathered to pray, reflect and to contact members of Congress to demonstrate the urgent need to put an end to fear, restore dignity and equality to all of America’s families and make 2010 the year that Congress finally delivers comprehensive immigration reform.

 

-Erica Palmer