Immigrants in Holston
Some honor boycott, others work as usual

By Annette Spence

While an estimated 1.1 million immigrants took the day off in a nationwide show of economic clout on May 1, many of those served by Holston Conference ministries quietly went to work and school, just as they do everyday.

In Maryville District, Karen Neff works with about 50 Latino families in Monroe and Loudon Counties. Some members of those families are employed by Mexican restaurants that closed in support of the national boycott known as a "Day Without Immigrants." Most, however, are employees at nearby factories and "were afraid they would lose their jobs," said Neff, district director of Hispanic ministries. "It was just a regular day for them."

In Unicoi, Tenn., all of the immigrant workers employed by Scott Strawberry & Tomato Farms – about 85 out of 110 total workers – came to pick strawberries on May 1, according to owner Wayne Scott.

Scott is a member of Unicoi United Methodist Church in Johnson City District and a member of the conference Hispanic Ministries Team. “The issue was never discussed,” Scott said. “Our people went to work.”

'We're here?'

The boycott was organized by immigrant activists angered by federal legislation that would criminalize an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants and increase security at the border.

In the United Methodist Church, some leaders have protested and marched against the strict immigration bill passed by the House. Two churchwide ethnic caucuses – the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists and Methodists Associated to Represent the Cause of Hispanic Americans – have joined in the call for comprehensive immigration reform.

The boycott was considered controversial by many. In Holston Conference, one district leader declined to speak while other ministry representatives didn't return phone calls.

In Wytheville District, the Rev. Arturo Reyna said that most members of the Spanish-speaking Door of Heaven UMC in Galax, Va., didn't go to work or attend school. Others who feared for their jobs went to work but supported the boycott by “trying not to spend or buy anything.”

“People have different feelings about this,” said Reyna, who marched in support of immigrants in Washington, D.C. on April 10. “The purpose was to make an impact on the economy, to show that 'we're here and we're helping out.' Maybe in a small town like ours, the boycott didn't have a real big impact. Nationally, I think it did.”

At First Pulaski UMC, also in Wytheville District, about 10 people who regularly participate in the church's Hispanic ministry didn't go to work on May 1, but gathered to pray at the church.

“We prayed for the government,” said ministry leader Javier Hernandez. “We believe God decides what will happen and can touch government people. We prayed to God that he will work in the government. We are expecting good things.”

In Chattanooga District's St. Andrews Center, about half of the 20 or more Hispanic children enrolled in the after-school program were absent, according to Education Director Kate Huser.

“This is a very controversial topic, and everyone has the right to his or her own opinion,” she said. “But these are the people I cater to in my job, so I have a lot of personal feelings and attachments. Whether you agree or not, they're just trying to show that they're here.”

Wayne Scott, who serves in his own church's Hispanic ministry, and who is known for building a chapel for Hispanic workers on his property, noted that “Congress is having a bad time.”

“The House has passed a bill that will absolutely put people who require hard labor out of work,” he said. “I don't think the American people are ready to start importing their fruits and vegetables.”

Morristown District also has a Hispanic ministry.
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