Dear Siblings-in-Christ,
By now many of you have learned of the unlawful detention of 20 year-old Go Yeonsooduring a routine I.C.E. check-in on July 31st. She is the child of the Rev. Kyrie Kim, a beloved priest in the Episcopal Diocese of New York who ministers to the Korean community. Mo. Kyrie holds an R-1 Visa, a status typical of religious workers/ministers. Her daughter, Yeonsoo — family and friends call her “Soo” — entered the country lawfully four-and-a-half years ago on an R-2 visa as a minor. R-2 is the dependent visa for family members who hold R-1 visas. Soo’s visa is good through the end of this year, and she appeared in court last week to start the process of converting it to a student visa. She graduated from high school in Scarsdale, and is a rising sophomore at Purdue University. DHS claimed that she overstayed her visa, but that is false. The conversion from R-2 to student visa is not uncommon. Linked below are some articles that outline her case right after she was taken.
Thankfully, through prayers, vigils, and diligent advocacy, she was released into the arms of her mom on the evening of August 4th. (See this CNN piecewhere EDNY attorney/vice-chancellor explains the circumstances.) While we are grateful that Soo is safe (for now), it is absurd to all of us that she must wear an ankle monitor as if she poses a danger to society.
Along with her university studies, she has served as a youth delegate at the EDNY’s Convention, and volunteers in Episcopal student ministries on her campus. She has followed the rules, appeared in court as instructed, and has never broken any laws. Despite all of this, she endured the trauma of being detained at 26 Federal Plaza for 48 hours (no shower, proper bed, change of clothes, etc.) and then, as far as we know, was transferred to the horrific I.C.E. Detention Center in Louisiana: a place notorious for its inhumane conditions. This not only traumatized her, but also her family and friends, and the many members of the EDNY, particularly the clergy and laity in the Korean community. Plainly put, these actions by I.C.E. are kidnappings, with no due process and no respect for the findings of even their own judges.
But Soo’s freedom is all too rare. She was just one among thousands of others who are still missing and/or being held unlawfully, most of whom likewise have no criminal record. Among them is another member of our church family, Ketty Garcia (pictured here with her granddaughter), an active member of St. Bart’s in White Plains, who was swept up in the same extralegal arrests that Soo was. She’s a 59 year old devoted grandmother from Peru seeking asylum on solid grounds. She is a much loved, hardworking, active member of her parish. Ketty’s lawyers are working tirelessly for her release as well, and we stand firm and join in prayer with her church family at St. Bart’s, and with our sister diocese, in demanding her freedom.
It has been a highlight of my episcopacy to serve a diocese that is blessed with so many clergy and lay members from all over the world. The many immigrants in our clericus and our laity make us stronger and better suited to serve all of God’s children. The body of Christ in our vineyard is diverse and rich, and we will continue to stand up against these grave injustices that seek to interfere with our call to serve our people.
I am asking that this note, and any or all of the linked articles here, be shared with your parishes. Please join me in lifting up Soo and her mother in your prayers as they recover from the trauma of the last few days, and also for Ketty, whose fate is still up in the air. And finally, I ask your prayers for the thousands of others who are being unjustly detained. The love and compassion that we show for those who we will never meet, and who can never repay us, is probably the strongest way to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in the world.
My office will keep you updated on these situations, and will share any future actions as things continue to unfold.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop of Long Island
Episcopal News Service: New York Episcopal priest’s daughter released from ICE custody
CBS News: N.Y. high school graduate Yeonsoo Go released from ICE custody
Korea Times: US immigration authorities detain daughter of Korean Episcopal priest