by Dr. Alyssa Fisher, Director of Communications
September 10, 2026 – Members of the United Methodist Churches in San Diego gathered in protest in front of the Federal Building to speak in favor of due process and safety for Haitian immigrants. After Temporary Protected Status was removed from those seeking asylum from Haiti in July, several recent arrests have raised concerns about those who were previously under legal protections in the area.
The group of community members and about ten members of the South District chapter of United Women in Faith gathered along the street in front of the building, holding signs with sayings like: “The United Methodist Church supports Immigrants…Civil…Human…RIGHTS!” “Love your neighbor as yourself, we are ALL NEIGHBORS!” and “Compassion not cruelty.”
During the conference, Pastor Jean Elise Durandisse of Exodus UMC shared that the Haitian immigrants in his congregation “contribute to this city and this country…We serve our neighbors. We build community. We build businesses.” He highlighted the widespread impacts of just one arrest: “When immigration enforcement affects one person, it impacts their children, their workplace, their church,” and asked that everyone be treated with humanity, dignity, and respect. He also called on those who are afraid to seek support, saying, “do not be ashamed, do not suffer alone, do not be afraid to ask for help; we are here to stand with you.”
Monalisa Tu’itahi, Immigration Coordinator for the California-Pacific Conference and immigration attorney, shared about her calling as a person of faith and a United Methodist to love her neighbor and accompany them through struggles like these. She also called on lawmakers and immigration agents to show justice, compassion, and humanity, saying, “Justice requires due process, faith requires compassion, and humanity requires dignity.”
Community members shared their personal experiences. One woman’s husband was arrested just a week after she gave birth, and said she is now afraid to seek medical care for herself or her baby; she is afraid to leave the house for necessities.
Wister Gaetan, co-founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, spoke about the lasting effects of immigration raids on families, children, and local businesses. He encouraged those in attendance and watching to show up to community meetings, legal clinics, and immigration hearings; to observe immigration enforcement actions when they witness them; to call elected officials and ask what they are doing to protect due process – “because there is power in solidarity.”
In closing, Attorney Wismick Saint-Jean, who is a Haitian immigrant and immigration attorney, encouraged us to ask, “Where is justice and where is equality?”
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