The events that are happening in immigration circles these days make me very sad.

My Karen friends suffered in their home country of Myanmar at the hands of the military. The Karen are one of the ethnic groups in that country. The military came into the villages and killed people and burned houses. The people fled into the jungle to escape the ethnic cleansing. Many fled to the refugee camps on the Thailand border. Thailand didn’t want them either.

In recent years, many have come to the United States after being vetted when they were in the camps. They came legally with proper documents. The immigrants I know are adapting to American society, getting jobs, paying taxes, learning English, obeying the laws and applying for citizenship when they are eligible.

Now, across the United States and especially in Minneapolis, Minnesota, immigrants are being terrorized by the threat of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who seemingly do not follow the rules or respect prior agreements and have a quota to meet established by the powers that be. Some are experiencing what I believe amounts to ethnic cleansing all over again.

Something else is happening at the same time. There are many good law enforcement officers, but working alongside ICE agents is putting their respected reputations at risk.

If we as a country do not change our ways and seek justice and have compassion for the vulnerable, I fear not just the presence of ICE agents, but I fear that God will withdraw his mercy from our country.

D.E. Charles

Manor Township

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.