As a green card holder, I’ve been watching the news of lawful permanent residents detained by ICE with a deep sense of foreboding—feeling the intended chilling effect of a government that silences dissent through high-profile abduction.
They want us to believe that silence is safety. But history—and faith—tell us otherwise.
I am hearing echos of Rev. Elaine’s brilliant sermon from this past Sunday.
When Esther faced the threat against her people, she had a choice: stay silent and hope to be spared, or speak out at great risk. Her uncle’s words still echo: “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to this position for such a time as this.”
This is such a time.
On Monday, March 17th, Jeanette Vizguerra—a beloved mother, grandmother, and longtime community leader—was forcibly taken into custody by ICE officers outside her job at Target. They laughed in her face as they detained her, without warning, without due process, and without even a valid deportation order. She was immediately transferred to the for-profit GEO detention center.
Jeanette is not just another name in the headlines. She has been a pillar of our Colorado Immigrant community for nearly 30 years—fighting for labor protections, immigrant rights, and family unity. She stood in solidarity with Ingrid Latoree when she sought sanctuary in our church. She has defended countless families. Now, we must defend hers.
Named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people in 2017, Jeanette has spent decades organizing for immigrant justice. She has worked as an SEIU labor organizer, volunteered in her children’s schools, and led efforts with groups like the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and American Friends Service Committee.
She also founded:
- Dreamer’s Mothers in Action-Colorado, supporting families of DACA recipients.
- Abolish ICE Denver, mobilizing against unjust detention and deportation.
- Sanctuary4All, expanding sanctuary protections statewide.
Jeanette has dedicated her life to protecting others. Now, we must stand up to protect her.
Her daughter, Luna Baez, put it best:
“My mom has always been our rock, the one we could depend on. She is fearless. She has fought for all of us—now we must fight for her. I cannot imagine life without her.”
And this is not just about Jeanette.
She is just one of a string of activists, green card holders, and others who have been unlawfully detained in the past week in a deeply disturbing pattern of targeting political dissent:
- Lequaa Kordia, another activist, has been held without justification.
- Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian solidarity activist, was abducted by ICE and sent to a corporate prison in Louisiana, without any criminal charges, simply for his advocacy.
- Fabian Schmidt, a New Hampshire resident and electrical engineer, was violently interrogated at Logan Airport, stripped, placed in a freezing shower, and pressured to give up his green card. He was denied food, water, and his anxiety medication before being transferred to an ICE detention facility.
- Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Brown University physician, was denied U.S. entry at Logan Airport. Despite a valid visa and a judge’s order to stay, CBP revoked her visa and deported her to Lebanon, leaving Brown short-staffed for kidney transplants.
This Is Just The Beginning
When they snatch our neighbors from their homes for speaking truth, they violate not just law but the sacred covenant that binds all humanity together.
For decades, immigrants have withstood relentless attacks—from the Muslim ban to family separation, from kids in cages to mass worksite raids. Now, with ICE targeting lawful permanent residents and activists, we are seeing a government willing to weaponize status, stripping away protections and using terror to silence dissent.
Immigrants are our neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members.
We Act Together
Foothills has joined hundreds of organizations across Colorado in signing on to a statement demanding Jeanette Vizguerra’s immediate release, calling on ICE to end these unlawful detentions, and standing in unwavering solidarity with all who are being targeted.
But there are actions you can take right now as individuals:
- Sign the petition. Demand Jeanette’s release: Petition Link.
- Donate. Support Jeanette’s family: Fundraiser Link.
- Attend the rally in Denver Tomorrow: 3:30 PM on March 19 at the Tivoli Quad in Denver to demand justice for Jeanette
- Raise your voice. Call your representatives, write letters to the editor, share on social media. If we do not resist now, we may not have the chance to later.
Jeanette has spent decades fighting for her community. We will not allow her to disappear without a fight.
Our faith compels us to love boldly. Our values demand that we take risks. And our democracy requires our participation.
We are not alone. We are not powerless. But we must act.
In faith and solidarity,
Rev. Sean & Foothills Immigration Justice Teams
Acting Senior Minister
Rev. Sean is Foothills Acting Senior Minister while Rev. Gretchen is on Sabbatical.
Responsible for Worship, Justice Ministries, Faith Formation Strategies and sits on Foothills Executive Leadership Team with Director of Finances and Operations Katie Watkins.
Sean was born on Treaty 7 land in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and comes to Foothills after four years in New England where he completed seminary at Harvard Divinity School where he studied alongside future imams, rabbis, justice activists, and other Unitarian Universalists. Sean is a self-proclaimed nerd — particularly about history, current politics, science, and Star Wars. Outside of ministry you will find Sean hiking or cooking up a storm with his partner Charles, watching his son’s basketball games, all under the watchful eye of their dog Dollie.
