Elvira Arellano defies Homeland Security
by Mauro Pineda

At press time, it is two weeks since Elvira Arellano took refuge in a Chicago Methodist church, creating a turning point in the movement for the rights of immigrants. Since the rallies that took place May 1, most of us were wondering what became of the protests and demonstrations. Then this single immigrant mother catapulted the movement once again onto the national scene.

Arellano, 31, has a seven-year-old son, Saul, who was born in the United States and is a U.S. citizen. She was supposed to surrender on August 15 to immigration authorities to be deported. Instead she remains inside Adalberto United Methodist Church on the city's West Side, claiming sanctuary.

Considering the current atmosphere in this country with regard to the war on terror, hers was a risky move. But it was sufficient to awaken America. The issue of immigration is much bigger than people realized: immigrants get deported on a daily basis and families are broken apart despite the children being American citizens. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Elvira Arellano will be arrested at a time and place of their choosing but they have kept away thus far even though the doors to the church are open on a 24-hour basis. Authorities may have their hands tied, however, because the Methodist bishop who gave permission for the church to be used as a sanctuary also officiates at services for George W. Bush.

Unlike the stereotype of illegal immigrants, Elvira Arellano is not playing the victim. She has been a prominent advocate for immigrants, or economic refugees, for many years. Prior to her taking sanctuary, she became a national spokeswoman for families facing deportation and has met with politicians that include Vicente Fox, President of Mexico, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Sen Richard Durbin (D-IL). Now she has become a leader for immigrants throughout the nation.

Even though the law is being challenged, many immigrants in this country seem to have no other option since they are working within a broken system to begin with. Call To Action, therefore, supports Elvira Arellano and her struggle as well as the millions of immigrants who search for just laws. Laws that will also protect the rights of children like Saul, a U.S. citizen.

To learn more about the immigration movement or about Elvira visit:
www.movimiento10demarzo.org
www.somosunpueblo.com

Immigrant rights at conference

Tram Nguyen, editor of Colorlines magazine, will discuss the immigrant rights movement at the CTA national conference Nov. 3-5 in Milwaukee. What has the movement achieved and what key questions of racial justice still confront us? Nguyen is an award-winning journalist covering civil liberties in Southern California.