The Trump administration recently rescinded the “Sensitive Locations Protections” policy, which had previously restricted federal immigration enforcement from acting in designated areas such as churches, hospitals, and schools. This change has caused fear among many in the Latino community. However, Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, has sought to reassure the community that the policy shift is aimed at targeting criminals, not law-abiding undocumented immigrants.
Pastor Rodriguez Seeks to Ease Fears
In an interview with The Christian Post, Rodriguez emphasized that the new policy is focused on preventing criminals from using sensitive locations as safe havens. He stressed that ICE agents will not enter churches to arrest individuals and dismissed fears of aggressive raids during worship services. “Under no circumstance in the past 250 years of American history has there ever been a moment where federal troops have come in guns blazing into a church. And it will not happen under the Trump administration,” he stated.
Rodriguez attributed concerns within the Latino community to misinformation. He reassured undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years and have no criminal records that they are not the primary targets of the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Potential Risks for Some Undocumented Immigrants
While seeking to comfort the community, Rodriguez also warned that innocent undocumented immigrants could be caught up in enforcement actions. If they are near criminal suspects during an operation, they might also face deportation. He acknowledged that ICE agents might be present outside church properties, waiting for criminal suspects to leave. “That’s a possibility,” he admitted.
This aspect of the policy change has fueled concerns among immigrant advocates who worry that it could lead to heightened fear and distrust within immigrant communities.
Evangelical Leaders Address Refugee Resettlement Halt
Rodriguez also addressed the temporary halt on refugee resettlement, which has drawn criticism from some Evangelical groups. He explained that the administration aims to fix what he described as loopholes in the asylum system before resuming refugee admissions. He insisted that the halt is temporary and necessary to ensure national security and a more effective immigration process.
Calls for Policy Reinstatement and Protection
Despite Rodriguez’s reassurances, some religious leaders remain concerned about the potential impact of the policy changes. Bruno Molina, executive director of the National Hispanic Baptist Network, called for reinstating the “Sensitive Locations Protections” policy. He emphasized the role of churches in providing refuge and assistance to vulnerable populations, urging the Department of Homeland Security to allow churches to continue their mission without fear of enforcement actions on their premises.
As the debate continues, the Latino community remains divided—some taking comfort in Rodriguez’s words, while others push for stronger protections for undocumented immigrants.
Source:
Samuel Rodriguez Urges Latinos to Remain Calm Amid Trump’s Immigration Policies
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