In today’s The Statement, Mara Gay reports on the lives of illegal immigrants at the University and in Ann Arbor.

In the past week, the Immigration Custom and Enforcement Department (ICE) have conducted numerous home raids in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. “[ICE] unlawfully entered private residences,” said Laura Sanders of Washtenaw County Interfaith Coalition for Immigration Rights, “[They] used violence and threats in detaining people, terrorized young children by attacking their parents in front of them, separated families, yelled at and verbally abused people, stolen identification, and ransacked people’s private property.”

 The Coalition is working on a first and rapid response protocol to help victimized families access needed resources, find safe haven and legal consultation.  They also plan to meet with immigration officials, implement political action, and work on creating policies that identify Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and other Washtenaw County towns as Sanctuary Cities.

The Coalition will meet this Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Christ. All concerned people are welcome to attend.