Summer of ICE
One of my favorite hometown holidays is 4th of July in Claremont. Claremont, my hometown, about 45 minutes toward the desert, is home to seven colleges and universities and has a small town America feel. On July 4th, there is a carnival in the park, a parade with kids on decorated bikes and high school marching bands, and a fireworks display to watch while picnicking on a blanket in on the college football field. I love Claremont on July 4th. But this year, I just wasn’t feeling the small town celebration.
And so, I decided to join our ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ Team for their Trunk and Hood Event at the Van Nuys Job Center. I’d admired the efforts of our team from afar, but this was my first in-person experience and I felt pulled to go and be with our neighbors who are suffering with fear and threats of deportation and imprisonment.
Several congregation-members have expressed concerns for the safety of our team, but Jon and Patty organized and positioned us, and prepared us for any circumstance. Protocols in place, we served and greeted our friends - expressing our commitment to care for our neighbors, especially in their time of need.
Unfortunately, we got news that the following day, there was a big raid on the Van Nuys Home Depot and over 30 people were taken by ICE agents. This was followed by two more raids and more than 50 people taken, including 4 staff members and several US citizens.
In 8 days, the Job Center suffered 3 raids, including the attempted use of a battering ram, armed and masked agents and physical violence. For those on our missions team who've built relationships with these kind men, it has been a time of devastation and helplessness.
Suddenly, we were faced with the reality that our friends were gone, either in detention, deported or in hiding. The leadership of the Center has been directed to stay home for their own protection. And our efforts to reach out and build relationships had been paused, interrupted and shut down. For about a week, all we could do was pray and listen: to listen for God’s directions and to listen to our friends at IDEPSCA (who run the Job Center).
During that week of listening, Patty was asked to talk about our relationship”Love Thy Neighbor” mission team and our relationship with the Van Nuys Job Center. It is intimidating to wear your heart on your sleeve… but alas.
After the pause, we began to hear good news trickling in: the volunteers and US citizens were released after 48 hours; old friends were located with joy and celebration; new staff were assigned to the center while the Director took a leave of absence. And so, we felt comfortable restarting our Peanut Butter ministry, compiling 120 lunches after worship and our small team delivered them and stocked the fridge. This past week, we restarted our hot meal program to a smaller but enthusiastic group and things seem to be getting back to normal.
And still, Juan (our ice cream man) is in Oaxaca. Arrested while selling ice cream at the Job Center as he does every day. His nephew had to come pick up his ice cream trailer after he was detained. We heard he was in Oaxaca and we wondered, “Is he from Oaxaca? Does he have family in Oaxaca?” We continue to pray for those who are missing, their families and all of our neighbors who are living in fear . May God help us.
Image: "Summer of ICE" Lalo Alcaraz 2025. 9x12 acrylic on canvas.