• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Home / Immigration / Immigrant teens unjustly targeted for gang affiliation
Oct 04 2017

Immigrant teens unjustly targeted for gang affiliation

Tammy Alexander is senior legislative associate for Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington office. This piece originally appeared on MCC’s Peace on the Hill column for PeaceSigns, the online news magazine of the Peace and Justice Support Network.

In June, a young man walking home from a soccer game with his friends in Suffolk County, New York, was questioned by police, turned over to immigration officials and put into detention. His crime? He was suspected of being part of a gang — an accusation he strongly denies and for which there is no evidence to support.

The cruel irony is that the young man had come to the United States because he refused to join a gang in El Salvador. And because he refused to join, gang members threatened his life and the life of his sister. Both fled to the U.S. where their mother was already living.

Dozens of similar stories have been reported recently, with high school students picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to the colors of clothes they wore, who they sat next to in class or what they were doodling in a notebook. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit alleging immigrant teens are being illegally detained based on accusations of gang affiliation with no evidence to support the claims.

Though local police cannot arrest someone simply for suspected gang membership, they can turn individuals over to ICE. New policies under the Trump administration encourage the detention of immigrants who meet at least two of the following criteria: having gang tattoos, frequenting an area notorious for gangs or wearing gang apparel.

On September 14, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Criminal Alien Gang Members Removal Act, H.R. 3697, which would strengthen such practices and codify them into law, requiring mandatory detention without bond for any immigrant suspected of gang membership and placing the burden of proof on the accused to demonstrate innocence. No exceptions exist for youth coerced into a gang under threat of violence.

Furthermore, an overly broad definition of a “gang” — five or more people working together — could be used to criminalize church members who assist undocumented immigrants. While the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, it could be bundled with a number of pro-enforcement bills during efforts to pass the Dream Act.

Recent reports indicate the Trump administration is also looking to speed up the deportation of Central American teenagers through a process known as “expedited removal.” Such a process could be used to deport teenage asylum seekers without a hearing once they turn 18. Court hearings are crucial because these are life or death decisions for many immigrants. Some who left their home communities because they were targeted by local gangs have been killed after being deported back into a dangerous situation.

Biblical teachings implore us to care for the most vulnerable, including migrants, children and those fleeing violence.

In Matthew 18, Jesus said, “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven … So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” Rather than looking for ways to deport vulnerable children back into the dangers from which they fled, we should be helping them to stay safe and flourish in their new homes.

Immigration resources | Current action alerts

  • Posted in Immigration, Menno Snapshots, Peace and Justice Support Network
  • Tagged H.R. 3697, immigration, MCC Washington Office, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S., Peace and Justice Support Network, PeaceSigns, President Trump, Tammy Alexander
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail
Official comments policy for users of Mennonite Church USA’s websites and other social networking tools. We reserve the right to remove any comment that violates this policy.
  • The purpose of comments is to engage in constructive dialogue.
  • Please provide your own full name.
  • Be respectful. If you’re offering criticism, focus on others’ ideas — not their motives, person, character or faith. Consider the log in your own eye before pressing ‘Enter.’
Comments are moderated. Comments with any content that is deemed obscene, libelous, defamatory or hateful toward an individual or group will not be approved. Comments will remain open for 10 days.
    --
Política de comentarios oficiales para los usuarios de los sitios en Internet y otras herramientas de redes sociales pertenecientes a la Iglesia Menonita de EE.UU. Nos reservamos el derecho de eliminar cualquier comentario que viola esta política.
  • El propósito de los comentarios es entablar el diálogo constructivo.
  • Por favor brinde su propio nombre completo.
  • Sea respetuoso. Si ofrece críticas, enfóquese en las ideas del otro, no en sus motivos, su persona, su carácter o su fe. Considere la viga en su propio ojo antes de apretar ‘Intro’
Los comentarios son analizados. Aquellos comentarios que contengan contenido que se considere obsceno, calumnioso, difamatorio u odioso hacia algún individuo o grupo no será aprobado. Los comentarios permanecerán abiertos por 10 días.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore categories

Search

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE