For Immediate Release: July 31, 2018
Contact: JaNaé Bates, jbates@isaiahmn.org
(612) 234-1735
Jennifer Farmer, jfarmer@faithinaction.org
(202) 306-0136
ST. PAUL – Earlier today, online news outlet ThinkProgress published a story on Carlos Urrutia, who was abruptly taken from a court hearing on Thursday, July 26 with unnecessary force, where his family and leaders accompanied him for support. Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement forcefully grabbed Carlos, initially refusing to identify themselves, produce an arrest warrant, or show a badge. ISAIAH leaders and family members asked questions well within their rights, and the agents responded by physically grabbing, pushing and pulling leaders out of the way.
Please click here to read the story.
Carlos is a husband, father of three children, and faith leader at his Roman Catholic congregation where he advocates for love, justice and redemption for all. He has been a resident in the U.S. for 25 years and a Minnesotan for the majority of that time. He now faces potential deportation tomorrow, Wednesday Aug. 1st if his appeal is not successful. His family has established a fund for those willing to contribute to the mounting legal fees.
“Like any other person, Carlos deserves dignity and respect, and an opportunity to thrive,” said Catalina Morales, lead organizer with ISAIAH Minnesota. “Like many, his past hasn’t been perfect, but imperfection should never be a reason to mistreat or deny the humanity or sanctity of anyone. Nothing is fair or just about how we as a nation have chosen to treat our immigrant neighbors, or how Carlos has been treated.
“The hard-hearted deportation machine — ICE — has long been an institution of callous, mean and plainly evil acts of violent separation of immigrant families who have been scapegoated and used as political footballs by every level of government,” added Morales. “This video is a depiction of one of the tens of thousands of immigrants who are stripped of decency and respect.”
Please circulate the article, and, if you are able, please consider contributing to the family fund as they fight to keep Carlos home with them: https://tinyurl.com/KeepCarlosHome.
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 45 local and state federations. For more information visit www.faithinaction.org.
ISAIAH is a multi-faith, multi-racial, state-wide and nonpartisan faith-based community organizing coalition in Minnesota. Our 200 member and partner congregations and mosques create racial and economically equitable communities through intentional, intensive leadership development; collective, faith-based actions; and deep partnerships with grassroots organizations and public servants.
