“The migrant who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the migrant as yourself, for you were migrants in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:34
Last week, ICE agents seized Armando Gaspera Unando, one of our undocumented neighbors in Brooklyn. When his friend Eric Diaz attempted to intervene and prevent his deportation, an agent shot him in the face.
This is a horrifying tragedy—emblematic of the violence routinely inflicted on undocumented people, despite the fact that neither Unando nor Diaz posed any threat to the officers. But it’s also part of a larger pattern of abuse by the federal government, trying to prevent our city from offering sanctuary to migrants. On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security implemented travel restrictions for New York residents, citing New York’s sanctuary city status as justification. The federal government’s goal is clear: They intend to make us choose between following the law and standing by our neighbors.
But, as people of faith and moral courage, our allegiance is always to God and God’s people. We follow in the way of Jesus whose scripture repeatedly commands “you must welcome the stranger.” When the actions of the State violate this calling, we are called to stand between abusive power and its targets. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” Our undocumented neighbors have as much right to live in New York City as any citizen. This is their home, and we will fight to protect their right to stay here.
ICE has no right to enter our streets and terrorize our community. But, while they may try to sow fear and division, they only strengthen our resolve to stand beside our friends. This evil is not new: It’s an extension the same malevolent power that oppressed Black communities under Jim Crow, that propagated genocide of our indigenous siblings and enslaved millions. The forces of Empire have simply found a new target, and we are morally bound to resist this violence. Jesus was crucified by Rome because he steadfastly rejected their imperial violence. To follow in His path, we must expel hatred from our hearts and our communities.
God sides unabashedly with those who suffer violence, and so do we. To our undocumented neighbors: We love you. You are not alone. And you will always find home and safety at Middle.