On June 19, the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR) is hosting a community forum regarding the recent home intrusions, arrests, detentions, and deportations of immigrants in Washtenaw County and nation-wide. WICIR is a coalition of churches, grassroots and university organizations formed in response to numerous documented cases of federal raids done by the Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) against members of the Latino community, nationals from other countries, and US citizens.

The forum will address concerns regarding the nature and necessity of these raids, and use of illegal entry and excessive force. Vincent Clausen, Detroit Field Office Director for Detention and Removal Operations, ICE, and Rebecca Adducci, Assistant Director, will be present to explain ICE’s actions and answer questions. Elected officials from the national, state, county, and local level have been invited to participate.

The forum will be moderated by a member of WIRIC, who will be selecting questions submitted from the Washtenaw community to pose to the ICE agents.

The forum will take place on June 19, 7pm at the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ypsilanti, 218 North Adams St. Send your questions and comments to WICIR2008@gmail.com.

To hear the story of one affected immigrant community member, go here.

In an eloquently written and concise editorial, the New York Times editorial board comments on the ethics of our nation’s attitude and government’s actions toward the immigrant population.