DFW-Area United Methodists Trained as Immigration Court Observers

Noemi Rios, founder of Vecinos Unidos, leads a court observation training session at Oak Lawn UMC.

Thirty-two individuals representing 10 United Methodist churches and community organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area gathered Saturday, Oct. 11, at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church for a training session on immigration court observation.

The training, led by Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United), introduced participants to the role of public court observers— volunteers who attend immigration hearings to offer care, document proceedings and monitor for potential abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers or court staff.

Attendees at the training were diverse in age and ethnicity. One message that resonated strongly was the opportunity for white elders to use their privilege to positively influence courtroom behavior and accountability.

The event followed the Horizon Texas Conference’s Immigration Advocacy Symposium, held Sept. 21, which drew more than 300 participants in an in-person/virtual hybrid format. The symposium was hosted by the Immigration Working Group of the conference’s Care and Healing Team.

At the Oct. 11 training session, Vecinos Unidos founder Noemi Rios shared firsthand accounts of mistreatment in immigration courts, including stories of individuals being apprehended in courthouse hallways.

“Folks are showing up doing the right thing, showing up for their court hearing, only to be apprehended in the hallways, and no notifications to their families of what’s happening to them,” Rios said.

Court observers complete an online training through the American Bar Association and coordinate their availability with Vecinos Unidos.

In addition to observing court proceedings, church groups are being asked to assemble children’s activity packets for families who must bring children to court.

For more information on how to get involved, visit linktr.ee/VecinosUnidos.

Rev. Andrew Fiser, HTC associate director of Care and Healing, contributed to this story.