“We are deeply concerned about both lack of pastoral access and humane conditions at Broadview Detention Center in Illinois and join other faith leaders calling for humane treatment of all and adherence to human rights protections,” said Megan McElroy, prioress of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, who signed on to the following letter to President Trump, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and Border Control Commander Bovino.
This letter below was written by Rabbi Ike Serotta (Makom Solel Lakeside, JCUA, RAC-IL), Reverend Sandra Castillo (Sanctuary Committee of the Episcopal Diocese) and Sr. JoAnn Persch (Sisters of Mercy, Catherine’s Caring Cause), and coordinated by MIJA Chicago (Multifaith Immigrant Justice Alliance).
We stand together as leaders in many faiths, united in a call for human rights. Here in America, we revere freedom of religion. It is enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights. There is a long history of pastoral care in jails and prisons around our nation. In 2007, Sisters of Mercy, Sr. Pat Murphy and Sr. JoAnn Persch spearheaded the campaign with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to pass legislation in Illinois providing immigrants in detention centers the right to have pastoral visits. This became the law in Illinois in 2009 and came into effect in 2010.
Although recent Illinois law prohibits immigrant detention centers in our state, DHS has in effect converted its processing center in Broadview into a detention center. It now has the responsibility to honor the law and open the Broadview facility with pastoral visits for immigrants. Instead, DHS has ignored and shut down repeated requests from the religious community to provide communion and pastoral visits– including delegations on October 10 by a group of Protestant pastors, October 11 and November 1st by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) and November 7th by the Faith Over Fear coalition.
DHS treats the immigrants incarcerated in Broadview with inhumane cruelty by crowding so many people into the confined space that people must remain standing throughout the day; not providing the human beings it confines with adequate toilet facilities; failing to provide sufficient nutritious food; refusing to provide the incarcerated human beings with access to family members and lawyers. We have heard of coerced signatures on deportation documents. We have heard of behavior that dehumanizes those interned in a building that is ill prepared for the influx of people forced to stay there. These conditions should not be allowed in the land of the free.
We raise this public voice to assert the right of every detained immigrant to have pastoral visits. Open the gates! We remind President Trump, Secretary Noem, Border Control Commander Bovino, and every ICE officer that the Bible teaches us to love the stranger. Scripture begs us to remember that all of us at some time were strangers in a strange land. Human beings are not animals to be herded and caged. All of us are made in the image of God, and dividing people from their faith is inhumane. Pastoral care of any type is a powerful reminder of the humanity and divinity within each of us. As concerned people of faith, leaders in our community, we will not rest until we see that people are being treated with respect, that their bodily and spiritual needs are met. We will not rest until the gates are open!
Rev. Abby Holcombe, Urban Village Church
Imam Abdul-Malik ryan, DePaul University Division of Mission and Ministry
Sister Adele Human, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL
Rev. Adrienne Ann Ilseman, Northern IL Conference of the United Methodist Church
Cantor Agnes Valdman, Oak Park Temple – B’nai Abraham Zion
Sisrer Aileen Donovan, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Leadership Team
Pastor Aimee Tucker, Hyde Park Vineyard Church
Rev. Allison Farnum, Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois
Rev Amanda Joria, Park Ridge Presbyterian Church
Pastoral Resident Amelia Hamiter, City Church San Francisco
The Rev. Amity Carrubba, Grace Episcopal Church, Chicago
Reverend Amy Pagliarella , Fourth Presbyterian Church
Rabbi Andrea London, Beth Emet The Free Synagogue
Rev. Ann-Louise Haak, Wellington UCC
Protestant Annette Braden-Rozier, Lake Street Church Evanston
Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez, Portage Chapel Hill Church
Chaplain Ariz Saleem, The Muslim Chaplaincy at UIC
Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin, Lake View Presbyterian Church
Reverend B. J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Northern Illinois United Methodist
Rev. Dr. Barbara Barkley, Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church
Sister Bernadine Karge, Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
Rev. Dr. Beth Brown, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church
Minister, Society of Friends (Quaker) Beth Burbank, Northside Friends Meeting, Chicago
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale/ Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of IL
Rabbi Binah Wing,
Rabbi Brant Rosen, Tzedek Chicago
Rabbi Brian Immerman, Congregation Sukkat Shalom
Rev. Britt Cox, First UMC Evanston
Rabbi Bruce Elder, Congregation Hakafa
Rev. Bryan Cones, Trinity Episcopal Church, Highland Park
Rabbi Capers C Funnye, Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken E.H.C.
Rev. Carol Hill, Park Ridge Community Church
Rev. Carol McVetty, American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago
Sister Cecilia Canales, Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
Rev. Charles Straight , Faith In Action
Reverend Charles W. Dahm, O.P., Domestic Violence Outreach
Faith Ed Music leader Chris Inserra , Wellington UCC Immigrant Justice Task Force
Reverend Christian Coon, United Methodist Church
Rev. Christian Coon, Northern Illinois Conference of United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Christian Scharen, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Friar Christopher Eggleton, OP, Southern Dominican Province, USA
Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Live Free Illinois
Reverend Claire Makins, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
Rev. Clayton Edwards, Kingswood United Methodist Church
Reverend Colin Knapp, Pilgrim Congregational Church
Fr. Corey Brost, C.S.V., Viatorians
Reverend Dan Hartnett, S.J., Society of Jesus
Fr David, St James Episcopal Church, Dundee
Rabbi David Eber,
Rev. Fr. David Inczauskis, CSPL Clergy Council Member
Reverend David Swanson, New Community Covenant Church
Reverend deborah dresser, Saint Simon’s Episcopal
Rabbi Donald B Rossoff,
Ministerial intern Dr. Emma Farrell, Unitarian Church of Evanston
Rev. Edward F. Shea OFM, St. Joseph the Worker, Gary, IN Ed Shea OFM, Franciscan Friars
Sister Eileen Gannon, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Rev Eileen Wiviott, Unitarian Church of Evanston
Peace and Justice Coordinator Elaine Marie Sanchez, Sisters of the Holy Family – Fremont, CA.
Rev. Elisabeth Patz, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Elgin
The Rev. Elle Dowd, ELCA
Sisters Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, Dominican Sisters of Springfield
Reverend Emily Gage, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist congregation
Rev. Emily Heitzman, Presbytery of Chicago
Rev. Emily Heitzman , Chicago Presbytery
Dr Emily Mace, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Rev Emily McGinley , City Church San Francisco
The Reverend Eric C Fistler, First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake
Clerk Erica Cheng , Northside Friends Quaker Meeting
The Rev. Erik Christensen, Trinity Lutheran Church, Evanston
Rev. Erin Marth, Christ Church of Chicgao
Reverend Erina Kim-Eubanks, Bethel Community Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Rabbi Evan Moffic, Makom Solel Lakeside
Fr. Fr Brendan Curran OP, Resurrection Project/ International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace
Catholic Priest Fr John Hoffman, Carholic
Reverend Fred Kinsey , St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Logan Square, ELCA
Gene Majewski, St. John of the Cross parish, Western Springs, IL
Reverend George Arceneaux IV, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oak Park
Sister Glenn Anne McPhee , Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
Sr. Grace A. Hogan, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Reverend Grant Showalter-Swanson, United Methodist Church / Urban Village Church
Reverend Hannah Kardon, United Church of Rogers Park
Reverend Hannah Kardon, United Church of Rogers Park
Rev. Heidi L. Torgerson , Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange
Rabbi Ike Serotta, Makom Solel Lakeside
Rev. Jacki Belile, Living Well Ministries
Rev. Jane Eesley , First UMC at the Chicago Temple
Rev. Jason Coulter , First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC
Sr. Jeanne Harris, OP, Dominican sisters of Mission San Jose
Rev. Jeffrey Phillips , United Church of Christ
Reverend Jennifer Nordstrom, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
The Rev Jenny Hulen, St. Simon’s Episcopal Church
Reverend Jesse Knox III, Church of the Good Shepherd Congregational Washington Park
Rabbi Jessie Wainer,
Pastor Jillian Westerfield , Lake Street Church of Evanston
Sister joan marie odonnell, Sisters of Mercy
Sister JoAnn Persch, Sisters Of Mercy/Catherine’s Caring Cause
Sister Joanne Delehanty, Springfield Dominican
Reverend Dr. Joanne Lindstrom, The First Baptist Church of Chicago
Sister Joellen Sbrissa, Congregation of St. Joseph
Rev. John A Holm, Retired Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Reverend John Lyzenga, New Bridges Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. John Marc I. Sianghio, United Methodist Church
Rev Jonah P Overton, Zao MKE Church
Reverend Jonathan Grace, Urban Village Church
Rev. Joseph L. Morrow, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reverend Josh Erickson, Park Ridge Presbyterian Church
Rev. Joshua Gill, Central Presbyterian Church
Reverend Joshua Jalandoon, City Church San Francisco
Sister Judith Hilbing, Dominican Sisters
Intern Minister Judson Webb , UUCCI
Cantor Julie Yugend-Green, Cantor Emerita, Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion
Sister Katherine O’Connor, Dominican of Springfield, IL
Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP, Dominican Sisters of Springfield
Kathlyn S Myers, Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants
Associate Youth Director Kaylee Ann Dangc , City Church SF
Reverend Keith R Cerk, First Baptist Church of Waukegan Illinois
The Rev. Dr. Kim Beckmann, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Reverend Kim Chapman , Faith United Methodist Church, Genoa, IL
The Rev. Dr. Kim L. Beckmann, Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Krista Paradiso, Northbrook UMC
Pastor Kristin Jackson, Living Water Community Church
Rev. Kristina Sinks, United Methodist Church
Reverend Kyle Roggenbuck , First Congegational Church of Glen Ellyn
Reverend Larissa Forsythe, Epiphany United Church of Christ
Fr Larry Dowling, Priests for Justice for Immigrants
Pastor Laura Kraybill, Reba Place Church
Rev Laura Wilson Underwood, The United Methodist Church
Pastor Lauren Thurston, Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Rabbi Laurence Edwards, Congregation Or Chadash (Emeritus)
Reverend Lee Paczulla,
Rabbi Leonard Zukrow, Temple Beth Sholom
Pastor Liala Beukema , LakeView Lutheran Church
Rev. Dr. Linda M Eastwood, University Church Chicago
Rev. Lindsey Joyce, Grace Church of Logan Square
Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows, Congregation Beth Am
Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann,
Rev. Dr. Lucas Hergert, North Shore Unitarian Church
Rev. Lukas Harris-Ferree, Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston, IL
Reverend Attorney M. Michelle Day, Nehemiah Trinity Rising
Sister M. Paul McCaughey , Dominicans of Springfield
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s, Des Plaines
Rev. Magdalena Garcia , Ravenswood Presbyterian Church
Rabbi Emeritus Marc Berkson, Congregtion Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun
Sister Marcelline Koch, OP, Dominican Sisters, Springfield, IL
volunteer Margaret Rudnik, Associate, Sisters of Mercy
Sister Martha Garcia, Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
Sister Martha Marie Kirbach , Dominicans of Springfield in Illinois
Sister Mary Feigen , OP, Dominican Sisters of Hope
Rev. Mary Rawlinson ,
Sister Maryann McMahon, OP, Dominican Sister of Racine, WI
Pastor Matt DeMateo , New Life Community Church
Reverend Matt Helms, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Pastor Matt Temple, Newstory Chicago
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson,
The Rev. Matthew Stuhlmuller, Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park
Rabbi Max Antman, Temple Sholom of Chicago
Rabbi Max Weiss, Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion
Rev. Megan Dalby-Jones, Epiphany UCC of Chicago
Sr. Megan McElroy, OP, Dominican Sisters – Grand Rapids
Brother Michael Gosch, Clerics of St. Viator
Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, Viatorians
Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman, Emanuel Congregation
Pastor Michelle Sevig, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Reverend Mollie Foster, Park Ridge Community Church
The Reverend Mycah McNett, Saint Luke Lutheran Church
Nadia Kanhai, Grace United Methodist Church, Naperville
Reverend Nancy Goede, Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park
Sr. Nancy Richter, Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary
Rev Nancy Taylor, Chaplain Institute
Reverend Nathan Perrin, Lombard Mennonite Church
Reverend Nicolle See Grasse, United Church of Christ
Reverend Pastor Gonzalo Palacios , First Baptist Church of Waukegan Illinois/American Baptist Church
Rabbi Paul Cohen, Temple Jeremiah
Director of Generational Ministries Piers Fetters, First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple
Reverend Quincy Worthington, Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Reverand Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Chair of the Board of Church and Society for the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rabbi Rachel Weiss, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Rabbi Rachel Weiss, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Rev Rachel Young Binter, Holy Wisdom Monastery
Sister Reg McKillip, Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
Reverend Rev. Doug Hagler, First Presbyterian of Phoenixville
Minister Rev. Jennifer Innis , Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, IL
Rev. Richard Gehring , Lombard Mennonite Church
Rev. Richard Havard,
Reverend Robert Biekman, United Methodist Church
Pastor Robert C Jones JR., Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Robert Campbell , Willow Wellness Center
Rabbi Robert Feinberg ,
The Rev. Dr. Rocky Supinger, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Seminarian Ryland Rich,
Bishop Sandra Richter , Christ Our Peace Anglican Church
Deacon Sarah L. Swagler, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Deacon Sarah Swagler, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Sarah Weisiger, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Scott Aaseng, Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois
Rabbi Scott Gellman, Temple Sholom
Pastor Scott Oberle, First Congregational UCC
Rev. Scott S. Himel, First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge, IL
Reverend Seth Ethan Carey, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
Rev. Shawna M Bowman, Friendship Presbyterian Church
Rev. Shawna M Bowman, Friendship Presbyterian Church
Religious Sister-Pastoral Care Administrator Sister Mary Dempsey, OP, Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary
Sr. Judith Curran, Springfield Dominican Sisters
Leadership Dominican Sisters Sparkill Sr. Marie P. Buckley, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, NY
Leadership Team Sr. Rayo Cuaya-Castillo, Society of Helpers
Rev. Stef Coleman, Mayfair Presbyterian Church
Lay Minister Stephanie Trudel , First Church Unitarian Universalist of Leominster, Ma
Pastort Stephen Bouman, Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, Chicago
Pastor Stephen Lamb, Living Water Community Church
Reverend Steve Heaviland, Lake Street Church of Evanston
Rabbi Steven Peskind,
Rabbi Steven Philp, Mishkan Chicago
The Reverand Sunny Hallanan , St Paul & The Redeemer Episcopal Church
Rabbi Suzanne Griffel ,
Reverend Timothy Biel Jr, Central United Methodist Church of Skokie
Pastor Tom Terrell, Christ Lutheran Church
Rev. Victoria Rebeck, Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church
Rev. Violet Johnicker , Table of Grace, Rockford, IL
Sister Wanda Szymanko, Dominican Sisters of the Queen of the Holy Rosary
Reverend Wendy J. Boden, Southminster Presbyterian Church
Reverend Wes Smedley, Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer
Intern Minister William Esty, North Shore Unitarian Church
Sr. Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP, Dominican Sisters Conference
