A Message from CEO Courtney Hall - Regarding ICE Operations
In this moment of deep pain and growing fear, Interfaith Works stands with every neighbor who feels frightened, targeted, and hunted. We grieve the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Diaz, and the 36 others who have died following arrest, detention, deportation, or imprisonment by ICE. These deaths have shaken communities nationwide and deepened the vulnerability felt by immigrant families. They remind us that these losses are part of a broader pattern of harm impacting immigrant communities across the country.
We have watched with both heartbreak and admiration as young people at Blair High School demonstrated remarkable bravery in the face of immigration‑related threats, standing up for one another when they could have succumbed to fear. We also hold close the community at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, who endured intimidation and disruption in a sacred space meant to provide comfort and refuge. These incidents underscore how deeply fear has seeped into daily life for immigrant neighbors who deserve safety, dignity, and peace.
We feel compelled to make this statement because of our core values and our commitment to this community.
Our commitment to community calls us to strengthen solidarity when our neighbors are afraid. Our belief in acceptance, respect, and compassion requires that we name injustice when we see it and stand with those who are dehumanized or marginalized. Our dedication to empowerment reminds us that every person has inherent worth and agency, even in moments of profound vulnerability. And our values of reliability, partnership, and social justice demand that we show up – consistently, vocally, and courageously – when people’s safety and dignity are under threat.
It is in alignment with these values that we express gratitude for the steps our local, state, and representatives in Congress have taken to demand transparency and accountability from the federal government. We urge them to continue – and to deepen – these efforts, using every possible tool to interrupt harmful enforcement practices and protect immigrant communities.
To our neighbors, employees, volunteers, and donors – especially those who feel watched, pursued, or unsafe – we want you to know that when you come to us for support, you will be welcomed, you will be treated with compassion, and you will be supported.
We will continue to build a community where every person is met with dignity, where fear is met with compassion, and where no one is abandoned in a moment of crisis. Together, we remain committed to building a world where no one is hunted and where every individual knows they belong.