Milwaukee supporters march to local ICE office in support of migrants

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A prominent national religious leader was in Milwaukee Wednesday, lending her voice to the supporters of migrants detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Elizabeth Eaton is the presiding bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. She led a prayer vigil and march from downtown Milwaukee to the local ICE office.

"It's un-American to deny asylum to those seeking asylum," she said. "And if this country hadn't been available for my grandparents to come, I wouldn't be standing here now."

Bishop Eaton says immigration laws in this country are broken, and she drew a link between the supporters of the migrants and the teachings of Martin Luther centuries ago. Other clergy members in attendance agreed. 

"Immigrants are human beings, they are people created in the image of God," said Abraham Allende, who joined in the march. "We deserve to be treated with dignity and with respect, and not like animals."

There were calls during Wednesday's march for ICE to be abolished. 

Members from the American Civil Liberties Union monitored the event.