“We love Chicago. Chicago-ho-ho! It’s going to be a merry Christmas in Chicago.” –Gregory “The Grinch” Bovino *
They’re baaaack! Two hundred Customs and Border Patrol officers, led by Greg Bovino, returned to the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago on Tuesday, December 16, intimidating businesses, arresting people, dropping more tear gas, and interrupting a church food drive in the predominantly Latine community. At one point, according to Block Club Chicago, Bovino and his gang approached the front doors of Enlace Chicago, an immigrant rights center, and waved at workers inside. “They waved to our staff, a clear intimidation tactic,” Enlace’s co-director, Marcela Rodriguez, said. Today, there were reports of Border Patrol activity in Wicker Park and Logan Square.
Bovino and his crew had left Chicago in November following several months of detaining hundreds of “illegal” migrants using military-style tactics–including the use of tear gas and pepper balls, raiding an apartment building in the middle of the night, zip-tying children, and using lethal weapons (two people were shot by CBP officers, one fatally). Upon their departure, there was a collective sigh of relief. Life began to feel a little more normal. But today, everyone returned to a state of high alert. Christmas cheer has been replaced with Christmas fear.
We are living in threatening times. DHS claims that no US citizens have been detained. It’s a lie. DHS claims that no veterans have been deported. It’s a big fat lie. DHS claims that only criminals have been arrested. It’s a bigger, fatter lie. The truth is that DHS lies, and their lies cover up the fact that everyone is at risk of being targeted for detention. Who will be next? Anyone who delivers food to a migrant family? Anyone who protests ICE or CBP tactics? Anyone who contributes money to a mutual aid fund? Anyone who provides migrant children transportation to and from school?
Jesus and his followers in the early church knew a lot about living under the threats and intimidation of ruling authorities. The apostles were threatened with flogging and prison sentences for healing people in the name of Jesus. Paul was beaten and imprisoned for disrupting the economy of Ephesus. Persecution was an ongoing reality, but they resisted through prayer and persisted through bold proclamation–an act of holy disobedience (see Acts 4:24-31).
During this season of Advent, I’ve been repeating the phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil.” I’ve also been praying, “Come, Jesus, come!” My prayer echos that of the early church recorded in Revelation 22:20: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” The early church also used an Aramaic word, “Maranatha” to express their desire and hope for Christ’s appearance. Translated either “Our Lord, come.” or “Our Lord has come.” it was both a prayer for deliverance and a declaration of defiant resistance.
Bovino and his thugs may try to rob me of my Christmas cheer and attempt to drive me into isolated Christmas fear, but I will resist, proclaiming the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again bring salvation to those who are waiting for him and deliverance for those who seek justice. Mr. Bovino doesn’t have the power to stop our Christmas cheer because, “Maranatha!”
Let’s get our whistles and dance in the streets, drink egg nog with neighbors and sing defiantly, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come!” Amen.
Tongue on Fire 