Faith leaders from across the Dallas area gathered at the Kessler Park United Methodist Church on Friday to condemn federal immigration enforcement actions across the United States and plans for a new ICE detention facility in Hutchins, a town that is around 12 miles south of downtown Dallas.
Friday’s gathering was organized by the Clergy League for Emergency Action and Response (CLEAR), which has supported immigrant communities in Dallas since last spring and holds prayer vigils outside the Dallas ICE field office on Monday mornings. The Rev. Eric Folkerth, lead pastor at Kessler Park UMC, said that what he has witnessed over the last year has convinced him that opposing ICE’s actions is a moral imperative.
“Over the months, we have seen a disturbingly harsh treatment of migrants,” said Folkerth. “I know we are all horrifically disturbed by what is happening in Minneapolis. We decry violence of any form. We believe in the rule of law as faith leaders.”…