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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As U.S. Customs and Border Protection made arrests throughout Charlotte, attendance at a predominantly Hispanic church decreased dramatically.
About 1,000 people attend services at Casa Viva Church each week. Only about 500 were present this past Sunday.
“We have a lot of Hispanic people — South American, Central American, Caribbean,” Pastor Alejandro Montes said. “Last week was really tough and difficult for people. Hundreds of people just decided to stay at home.”
Many people in the Casa Viva Church community are fearful of possible deportation and family separation, according to Montes. He said he is not aware of any of his worshipers being arrested. With conflicting reports about if border patrol agents have left Charlotte, he is unsure what this coming Sunday will bring.
“Our doors are open for those who are more than welcome to come in,” Montes said. “We’ll stay here preaching the gospel with hope and faith.”
Security protocols will be in place to protect worshipers at Casa Viva Church Sunday. The church plans to have security on site and keep the doors locked.
“Border Patrol, they’re doing their job,” Montes said. “But, this is a great country, and we have rights. If they want to come in, they need a legal warrant.”
With uncertainty in the community, Montes plans to use his platform to reassure his community they are not alone.
“I know there are a lot of people who are trying very hard to become a citizen,” Montes said. “They [have been] trying for a lot of years — not just in recent years but for a lot of years, and it has been impossible. We will try to be the voice for them because there are a lot of people who don’t have a voice.”
“We are with them,” Montes added. “We are going to try to just be with them to help them in this situation.”
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Chloe Salsameda
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