We, leaders in the Martha’s Vineyard faith community, are deeply disturbed by the actions taken yesterday by masked representatives of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and by other Federal agencies on the Vineyard.

We view their tactic of pulling work vans over and detaining individuals as shameful and as a fishing expedition without probable cause or due process.

We view those pulled aside and detained as human beings in the image of God, worthy of respect and with the same basic rights as citizens have under the law.

As the book of Leviticus says, “the strangers who reside with you shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself” (Lev. 19:34).

This week’s actions by ICE were without honor, instilling fear in our community rather than enhancing our safety and security. Such sweeps diminish our humanity and diminish the safety and security of our community.

We call upon ICE’s acting director Todd Lyons and ICE’s acting director of enforcement Kenneth Gelano to end their practice of stop and grab and to direct their agents and representatives to act in such a way as to bring honor to their agency.

Rev. Cathlin Baker, Rev. David Berube, Rev. Woody Bowman, Rabbi Caryn Broitman, Rev. Jill De La Hunt, Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, Rev. Armen Hanjian, Rev. Vicky Hanjian, Rev. Stephen Harding, Rev. Cynthia Hubbard, Rev. Joanne Hus, Pastor, Bruce and Sarah Nevin, MV Friends Meeting (Quakers), Rabbi Lori Shaller, Rev. Janet Stoddard, Rev. Dr. Storm K. Swain, Rev. William Turpie, Susan Waldrop, Interfaith Minister at Large, Rabbi Brian Walt, Rev. Mark Winters.