The Clergy Immigration Table is an ecumenical group of faith leaders that has been meeting monthly in Spokane since the summer of 2025. The goal of the group has been to craft a faithful response to changes in federal immigration policy and to foster relationships between immigrant and non-immigrant congregations and faith leaders.
In April, the members of the Immigration Circle gathered at Comunidad Cristiana, a Spanish-language congregation located across the street from the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane Valley. The purpose of this special meeting was to hear a member of Comunidad Cristiana speak about his experience in the immigration detention center in Tacoma. This young man came to the US from Ecuador with his wife and three young children two years ago, seeking asylum after experiencing violence in his indigenous mountain community. He had a legal permit to work in the US and was in the legal asylum process along with his family.
As he was returning home from work in Post Falls, the car he was riding in was stopped by local police. The driver, a friend of his, did not have his license in the car. The young man got out of the car so he could take over the driving, but the police stopped him. Soom, ICE agents arrived and took him into custody, first to a jail in Idaho, and then to the detention center in Tacoma.
He spent four months in detention. He learned while in detention about a habeas appeal of his illegal apprehension and detention. He filed the appeal, and encouraged twelve other men in detention to appeal as well. After four months, he and the other twelve were released. As a result of his detention and release, his asylum application case will be separated from that of his wife. She will continue to go to hearings in Seattle, while he will be required to attend hearings in Portland. He will not be able to return to work during this appeal process, so his family will have no income for many months.
The young man was speaking through an interpreter. It was not clear to me who provided the legal advice that encouraged him to file his habeas appeal. Few lawyers visit the detention center, and many lawyers will charge $3000 to $5000 just to determine which papers a detainee might need to begin a hearing process. Unfortunately, many of the detainees do not know about the habas appeal process.
The Comunidad Cristiana church in Spokane Valley now has seven members in detention, leaving behind families including 27 children without their primary source of income. The church is seeking help to support those families with a day care program running from 8 to 5 weekdays during the school summer vacation time. Needs include a wide range of school supplies, diapers, and up to $15,000. Pastor Alvaro Gomez greatly appreciates the support that his congregation has already received from the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.
Gifts of money and supplies for the Comunidad Cristiana’s day care program can be sent by way of the Church of the Resurrection in Spokane Valley.
The Beloved Community Working Group of the Diocese of Spokane has been meeting by Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month to address issues of racial and Indigenous justice and immigration. We support individuals, congregations, and the diocese to work toward becoming the Beloved Community that Jesus proclaimed in word and action, working within and beyond our worshipping communities. We will be taking a summer break after this month for rest and restoration. We will resume our work with the August 25 meeting. Please be sure to contact us with emergencies or for resources.
May God work through us to accomplish the work of justice and peace in our communities.
Faithfully, in Christ,
Rick Matters (rickmatters@gamil.com) and Bill Osborne (c: 509-850-5839)