We are deeply disturbed by the death of Mr. Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. This tragic loss of life comes less than one week after the death of Mr. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas, both at the hands of ICE enforcement officials. Neither Mr. Guerrero nor Mr. Salgado was the intended target connected to the arrest warrants in these ICE operations, yet both were victims of irreversible violence, leaving traumatic repercussions for their families, friends, and local communities.
We pray for the families, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Guerrero and Mr. Salgado, and we grieve the loss of our fellow image-bearers and the violation of their God-given human dignity.
The Christian Scriptures unequivocally condemn the unjust taking of human life as an abomination in the eyes of God. The Laws of Moses condemn the innocent shedding of blood as a violation of the sanctity of life (Exodus 23:7; Numbers 35:33; Deuteronomy 27:25). The Proverbs of Solomon remind us that “hands that shed innocent blood” are among the things the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16–17), and that those who justify the wicked and condemn the righteous are “an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 17:15).
We lament the loss of Joan Sebastian Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and call for an end to the escalating patterns of violence against undocumented immigrant communities across our nation.
We call upon our government and civic officials to hold our public institutions and elected leaders accountable and to pursue the full extent of the law when reckless and irresponsible enforcement practices result in the loss of life. We call upon Christian clergy and leaders to press forward in advocating for bipartisan cooperation toward comprehensive immigration reform that honors the sanctity of every life, citizens and noncitizens alike. Finally, we join the impacted families in calling for full, transparent, and impartial investigations into the untimely deaths of Mr. Guerrero and Mr. Salgado.
At a moment when death clouds our nation’s political and moral imagination, let us choose a politics of life instead. We remain committed to pursuing the common good and advocating for immigration policies that promote peace, justice, and abundant life (John 10:10).
For media inquiry, contact: info@theologyandmigration.com and press@nalec.org
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daniel Montañez was born in Visalia, CA to a Mexican mother and a Puerto Rican father. He holds a Ph.D. from Boston University School of Theology in the area of theology, ethics, and philosophy. He is the founder of Mygration Christian Conference, and the executive director of the Center for Public Theology and Migration. Daniel is dedicated to serving his Latino/a community at the intersection of ministry in the Church, the scholarship in the academy, and social engagement in the public square.