Greetings from our local Detention Center

Recently I visited the Mesa Verde Detention Center in Bakersfield - the temporary forced residence of about 300 male and 100 female undocumented immigrants. While touring the facility and praying with inmates, I thought about biblical stories.

Have you ever noticed how much of the bible tells about migration? People on a journey somewhere…up into the mountains, wandering in the wilderness, leaving one place and seeking a homeland. We are people in motion, all of us. Some with legal status to move about in particular places, while others are refugees and immigrants, without a home.

In Genesis, we read about Adam and Eve being forced out of the Garden of Eden. Then, Noah is instructed to take refuge on a boat. Abram is told to leave his country and go to a far away land. When he arrives, there is a famine, so he moves on to Egypt, residing as an alien. Eventually, his name is changed to Abraham and he becomes a stranger, an alien, in the land of Canaan. When there is another famine, his grandson, Jacob, moves the family back to Egypt, reuniting with Joseph who works for the Pharoah. Joseph is able to get jobs for his brothers and at first they are welcomed.

However, time passes, and in Exodus the Egyptians treat Jacob’s decedents harshly. Eventually, they are driven out of Egypt so fast they had no time to add leaven to their bread. Moses and Aaron lead the Israelites, giving them God’s instructions: “There shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you” (Exodus 12:49; Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 9:14 & 15:16.) “You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien; for you were aliens in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 22:21.)

Over and over, we’re told God’s commands,“…you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:34; 24:22; Deut. 6:10-13; 10:19.) The people were instructed to leave food for them to eat (Lev 19:9-10 & 23:22; Deut 24:19-22), comfort their tears (Ecc 4:1), provide refuge (Isaiah 16:4), and allow them an inheritance (Ezekiel 47:21-22).

After Jesus is born, his family flees to Egypt, seeking asylum.

I can not include all of the biblical references requiring hospitality and fair treatment to aliens as it would take more space than this article allows. Let me just say, this is not a mere suggestion, given a few lines in the bible; not an option, but rather, a repetitive central tenant of Christian practice. The Apostle Paul writes that the mark of the true Christian is someone who will “extend hospitality to strangers” (Romans 12:13.) Paul instructs further that of concern is “your present abundance and their need” (II Corinthians 8:14.)

We’re reminded that we are all “but aliens and tenants” (Lev 24:23) to God. God comes disguised “as a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35), while others did not (Matt 25:43.)

While touring the detention center, I was comforted to see people’s physical needs being met. The warden was friendly and professional, as was the representative from ICE. Laws, policies, and procedures are necessary in a detention center and in a sovereign nation. It is unfortunate, however, that these procedures can take a very long time, with detainees being incarcerated for many months or even years. Many have committed no crimes. It is unfortunate that legal assistance is sparse while people wait without trial not knowing how long they will be detained. It is unfortunate that people are often held far away from any people they may know, with no visitors.

I met six women from various countries in Africa who were here seeking asylum for various reasons. One had sought employment in Asia and was trafficked instead. She got away, but hasn’t seen her children in a long time. I happened to be visiting on her son’s birthday. Some had been waiting over eight months with no awareness of how much longer they would be confined. Each of the six had acquaintances on the East Coast, but nobody in California to visit them.

None of the six were charged with crimes. They simply wait, with nobody to comfort their tears, in our mostly Christian county of Kern. Any of us can simply visit and show hospitality to strangers and by doing so I felt that I may have “entertained angels unaware” (Hebrews 13:2.)