Fountain Street Church Offers Sanctuary to Immigrant Family

News Summary

Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, MI, has provided sanctuary to the family of Carlos Menjivar, an El Salvadorian man detained by ICE. Advocates argue that Menjivar had complied with immigration requirements and had a plan for voluntary departure. His family’s situation highlights the church’s commitment to protecting immigrant families facing deportation. Advocacy groups are pushing for his release and scrutinizing local immigration enforcement practices. The church’s actions shed light on wider immigration issues in the U.S., particularly regarding the tension between federal policies and local sanctuary movements.

Grand Rapids, MI – Fountain Street Church is currently providing sanctuary to the family of Carlos Menjivar, an El Salvadorian man who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine appointment on June 4. This situation has brought attention to the church’s commitment to supporting immigrant families in distress.

ICE apprehended Menjivar as part of its Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) check-in procedures. Advocacy groups assert that Menjivar had previously established a verbal agreement with ICE for voluntary departure back to El Salvador and had already purchased airline tickets for his return. His unexpected arrest came as a shock to many, as Menjivar had complied with all immigration requirements since arriving in the United States as a refugee in 2017.

The family of Carlos Menjivar includes his wife and three young children, who are currently seeking refuge within the church’s walls. The church’s pastor, Rev. Nathan Dannison, stated that as a community, it is their moral obligation to act when families are threatened by deportation.

Currently, Menjivar is being held at the Calhoun County Jail in Battle Creek, MI. Advocacy organizations, including Movimiento Cosecha GR and GR Rapid Response to ICE, are mobilizing efforts to secure his release prior to the intended date for his return to El Salvador. They are demanding that ICE return Menjivar’s passport and amend his deportation status to voluntary departure, as the repercussions of a deportation order could have lifelong effects on his ability to return to the U.S.

On the day of Menjivar’s detention, it was reported that ICE apprehended between eight to ten other individuals, a situation that has exacerbated the community’s concern regarding immigration enforcement practices. In light of these developments, advocacy groups are encouraging community members to reach out to the ICE office in Detroit, as well as local senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, and Representative Hillary Scholten, imploring them to intervene on Menjivar’s behalf.

Fountain Street Church’s decision to offer sanctuary is rooted in its long-standing tradition of standing with immigrants at risk of deportation. Federal policies typically restrict ICE from conducting enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as churches, schools, and hospitals. This context has empowered the church to provide a safe haven for those facing potential removal from the U.S.

Menjivar’s family remains hopeful amidst their struggle. They maintain that they have followed immigration protocols since their arrival, and they are banking on community support to navigate this turbulent phase. The ongoing situation has underscored the broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement in the U.S., particularly the tension between federal policies and local sanctuary movements.

The outcome of Menjivar’s case may have implications not only for his family but for many others in similar circumstances, highlighting the challenges immigrants face in U.S. immigration policy and enforcement. The church’s sanctuary efforts mark a significant stand in a national conversation about asylum and the treatment of immigrant families.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Grand Rapids Residents Call for Sanctuary City Status Amid Tense Commission Meeting
Grand Rapids Schools Respond to Immigration Policy Changes

Additional Resources

• MLive: Grand Rapids Church Offers Sanctuary
• Wikipedia: Sanctuary Movement
• WZZM13: Family Declares Sanctuary
• Google Search: ICE Detention News
• WOODTV: Family Claims Sanctuary
• Google Scholar: Immigration Policy Sanctuary
• WOODTV: Historic GR Church Raising Money
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
• WMTV15: Devoted Member Killed in Church Collapse
• Google News: Sanctuary Church Immigration