‘This is about our humanity’: Prayer vigil in Elgin draws supporters of the immigrant community
The day after a high-profile raid by federal immigration officers, more than 100 community members gathered in Elgin for a prayer vigil to show support for their immigrant neighbors.
Dianha Ortega-Ehreth, executive director at Centro de Información, said the Wednesday vigil was organized to provide spiritual, emotional and mental support to immigrants and their allies.
“There are a lot of people here tonight,” she said after the vigil. “This proves that the community stands with the immigrants in Elgin. The community is united, and that is a beautiful thing in these moments because there are forces working to divide us.”
Federal authorities continued the Operation Midway Blitz immigration enforcement campaign this week in the suburbs, including a Tuesday morning raid at a house in the 900 block of Chippewa Drive in Elgin. Six people were detained in the raid, including at least one U.S. citizen who was later released, according to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times.
Wednesday’s event was hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Elgin. Guests lit candles and listened to prayers from local faith leaders before speakers from supporting organizations and elected officials offered remarks.
Amairani Jarvis, a community organizer at Centro, said Latinos are being targeted because of “the color of our skin, our culture and even the language we speak.”
“Immigration is not a political issue. It is a human issue. Being targeted is a human issue,” she said. “Being taken from our homes by masked officers who refuse to identify themselves is not political. This is about humanity, our dignity and our right to live without fear.”
State Sen. Cristina Castro said her office stands “firmly against the federal operations targeting the Elgin community” this week and that she’s working with state and local officials and organizations to connect people with resources and legal support.
“Intimidation and fear of our Latino community and immigrant neighbors is not welcome here,” she said. “This administration is trying to divide us, but I know our strength is what will pull us through. We have defended our state and our people before, and we are ready to do it again while we demand answers about yesterday’s unconscionable actions.”
State Rep. Anna Moeller characterized the immigration raids as “cruel.”
“Children are going to bed in fear,” Moeller said. “Neighbors and co-workers — people who have lived, worked and worshipped alongside us for years — are suddenly treated like criminals and strangers in the very place they call home, and that breaks my heart.”