Interfaith Gathering at Newark Detention Facility
On Monday, a diverse group of clergy members organized a vigil at the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center in Newark during Christmas week. The gathering aimed to urge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its private contractor to recognize the inherent value of every person, irrespective of their immigration status.
"We believe that mass incarceration is not justice," stated Rev. Chet Penza, a retired pastor from the United Methodist Church of Hackettstown. "And what it serves to do is deny the sacred worth of every individual."
Rev. Penza joined other religious leaders from different faiths and regions across the state, who prayed together while holding a cross. The event was convened by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, occurring ten days after detainee Jean Wilson Brutus, 41, passed away on December 12 following his placement at Delaney Hall.
ICE has not revealed the cause of Brutus' death in its recent announcement, and agency spokespeople have not commented on the case's status. A regional spokesperson for ICE's Newark office acknowledged receiving an inquiry about the vigil but did not provide a response on Monday. Similarly, a representative from the GEO Group, which manages Delaney Hall under a contract with ICE, did not reply.
Prayers for Change and Compassion
The vigil was led by Rev. Erich Kussman of St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church in Trenton. He addressed a small crowd of reporters and immigrant rights advocates gathered on Doremus Avenue, near where Delaney Hall is situated, as large trucks passed by, some honking in solidarity.
"We're here to do a Christmas Vigil with a lot of prayers, because we believe prayers can change hearts, can change minds, can change souls," said Kussman, noting his own background as an immigrant from Germany, though he holds dual citizenship.
Rev. Robin Curras, an interim pastor at an unnamed Presbyterian church in New Jersey, emphasized before the vigil that, "Jesus told us to love everyone and treat everyone with dignity." She drew parallels to the biblical story of Jesus fleeing persecution with his family, highlighting the lack of legal status they faced.
"Jesus had to flee to Egypt with his parents as a baby, fleeing political persecution," Curras explained. "Jesus is very clear that we're supposed to be hospitable to the stranger in Matthew 25, and to love everyone, to pray for enemies. And this notion of rounding up everyone is anathema to the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Prayers for Leadership and Forgiveness
Beyond praying for detainees and their families, the clergy also sought divine guidance for President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE agents, and GEO Group security personnel. "They're created in God's image like everybody," Rev. Penza remarked.
Rev. Annie Allen of the Rutherford Congregational United Church of Christ called for forgiveness for guards and agents involved in mass incarceration, noting that many are African American community members with limited job opportunities. "The people who have been hired here are primarily African American people from this community who really have very little options of employment," Allen said.
Prior to the vigil, a counter-demonstrator removed signs placed by advocates on barriers near the facility, holding an American flag but declining to identify himself or any affiliation.
Saija Autrand, a 70-year-old graphic artist from Verona and parishioner at the First Congregational Church of Montclair, attended with a sign reading "Seeking Asylum is not a crime," featuring a depiction of a holy family to symbolize Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. She expressed, "We pray for the people who've been taken away from their families and for justice to be done. What would Jesus do, right?"
