Trump’s mass deportation plan raises concerns among Latino churches and community leaders

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As discussions heat up over immigration policies, concerns ripple across the Hispanic community, particularly in Latino churches. The potential for mass deportations, as proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, is creating a wave of anxiety among congregations and their leaders.

An estimated 11 million unauthorized migrants currently call the U.S. home, and Trump’s strategy to enlist military support for mass deportations has alarmed many. Pastor Gabriel Salguero, leader of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, expressed the sentiment shared by many, stating, “Any language of mass deportation will send a chill up the Latino evangelical church’s spine.”

This announcement has prompted church leaders to gear up for what might lie ahead. Salguero mentioned that they are actively coordinating with pastors nationwide, urging them to prepare their immigration ministries and have legal resources ready. He also highlighted the coalition’s commitment to connecting with sister churches in Latin America to understand how the developments might influence their communities.

According to Tom Homan, designated as Trump’s “Border Czar,” the initial targets of this crackdown will be criminal elements. He remarked, “There hasn’t been enough focus on criminal aliens, specifically these alien gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13.” However, he emphasized that the administration’s priority will be addressing threats to public safety and national security from the outset.

While many in the U.S. support the idea of deporting serious criminals, not all agree that families should be torn apart in this process. Matt Soerens from World Relief shared that if military action meant large-scale deportations of long-time residents with no criminal records, including many parents of U.S.-born children, it would be troubling for numerous evangelical communities. “This is concerning for us at World Relief and to a lot of the evangelical Christians that we interact with,” he stated.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference called for a compassionate view of immigration, urging Americans to frame their perspectives within a biblical context. He referenced passages from Matthew and Leviticus to advocate for a balance between compassion and the rule of law, asserting that Romans 13 emphasizes the importance of obeying laws designed for the protection of civil liberties and family security.

As immigration policies shift, Pastor Salguero hopes for a thoughtful and humane approach. “We’re hoping that people can reconcile a humane immigration reform without having this disastrous impact on our families and our congregations,” he said, echoing the sentiments of many who are bracing for the changes ahead.

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