Overview

• Bishop-Designate Michael Pham marked World Refugee Day with a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph before leading nearly a dozen clergy to the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building to witness migrant detentions outside the courtroom.
• ICE officers who normally arrest people as they leave immigration court stepped back when the faith leaders entered the hallways, resulting in no reported detentions during their presence.
• Volunteers from local immigrant support organizations observed decreased intimidation tactics and praised the consistent clergy presence in courthouse corridors.
• A Vietnamese refugee himself, Pham urged authorities to treat migrants with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect as their legal proceedings proceed.
• The Department of Homeland Security has stated that most recent entrants without authorization are subject to expedited removal, though those with credible asylum claims may still have their cases heard.