Compassion for Oscar: A Hardworking Immigrant

For the past 48 hours, Los Angeles has come under siege by federal agents conducting immigration raids at workplaces in Downtown Los Angeles, Paramount, and within several Southern California neighborhoods. These raids have led to arrests of upwards of 200 people in a day, increasing the pressure on limited spaces for holding detained people. ICE has been holding detained family members in basements of federal immigration facilities and separating children and mothers from their fathers. Yesterday, this very incident happened to my friend and co-worker, Oscar Monroy, as he was getting into his car to work at a construction site. ICE apprehended him from his car and whisked him away to a detention center in Rialto.

Oscar is from Guatemala and came to the US ten years ago, seeking a better life, just like millions of other immigrants in this country. Oscar is a God-fearing Christian, husband, father of a 2-year-old, hardworking, accountable, and respectful professional in the construction industry. He has never committed a crime and is an upstanding member of society. I have had the honor of working with Oscar for the past 2 years in assisting with home renovations for my interior design clients. He has been instrumental in my own home renovation for the past year. Without Oscar's impeccable craftsmanship, relentless work ethic and dependability, my remodel would not have been possible. He shows up everyday at 7 am and doesn't finish the day until after 5 pm. He is kind and respectful. He works 7 days a week to take care of his wife, stepson, and young two-year-old. He now sits in a detention center, not sure of what his future holds. His friends and family are devastated and are actively seeking the legal counsel he greatly deserves. I am asking you to donate any amount of money to Oscar's legal fees fund. I will be sending your generous donations to the family to assist with lawyer fees.

Let us not forget that Jesus emphasizes the importance of welcoming and caring for strangers, including immigrants, highlighting that these acts are a reflection of love for God. Specifically, in Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus associates welcoming the strangers with serving him directly and promises eternal life to those who do so. In essence, Jesus' teachings and the broader biblical tradition call for compassion and inclusion towards immigrants, recognizing their dignity and treating them with love and respect, much like one would treat a fellow human being.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion in assisting Oscar. These unfounded raids on innocent, law-abiding citizens needs to stop. Help us make a difference with your donation and speak out against these horrific raids against respectable human beings who just want a better life .

Respectfully,

Kellie McKnight