I’ve only lived in Memphis for five years, but I’ve quickly learned that there’s a very specific flavor of pride, a chip-on-the-shoulder vibe, and open arms for newcomers — as long as we’re willing to be initiated through the fires of dry rub, Grizz and Tiger spirit, and live music on sweaty summer nights. Sure, we have our historic harms and much repair to be done, but of all the places I’ve lived over the years, Memphis is the only place that truly feels like it’s “Memphis versus errrbody.”
And now, we have masked individuals fueled by racist rhetoric, operating with little transparency, and coming together to terrorize our own. Our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our family. It’s become clear that the vast majority of those who have been harassed and disappeared are not violent criminals, and many have been targeted not because of any illegal activity but more often for how they look.
According to TRAC data as of June 29th, ICE held 57,861 in ICE detention, and 71.7 percent held in ICE detention had no criminal conviction. Moreover, many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, including traffic violations. Closer to home, Adams County Detention Center in Natchez, Mississippi, held the largest number of ICE detainees so far in 2025, averaging 2,179 per day (as of June 2025).
Many of our friends and neighbors from Memphis have been taken to Mississippi and Louisiana. People we know and share this Memphis life with are included in these numbers.
Earlier this month, the story of the Good Samaritan was featured on the liturgical calendar of most churches. Many Memphis church-goers heard this story from Luke’s Gospel read and proclaimed. The story is a parable offered by Jesus, and here’s the summary: A man is traveling, robbers come and bully him, beat him, and steal from him, and then they leave him on the side of the road. Two religious leaders see him and continue on their way, one after another. The third to come upon the beaten man is a Samaritan, who takes him in, bandages him, feeds him, and pays for a place for him to stay. The Samaritan, even as someone from a different background, is lifted up as a merciful neighbor, an example of who followers of Jesus are called to be.
Fast-forward 2,000 years, and today we have federally sanctioned bullies coming into our communities and physically tearing families apart, stealing parents from children, disappearing them into the abyss of detention centers and foreign prisons with no due process, no adherence to the Constitution, and no accountability.
And what will we do? Will we be like the religious leaders from the parable and simply walk past those in danger and hurting, as if their suffering is none of our concern? Or will we be the neighbors Jesus calls us to be?
If you’re an ally, and especially if you have privilege, go out and protest. Raise your voice. Support local groups doing the work, like Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH), Advocates for Immigrant Rights (AIR), Latino Memphis, Su Casa Family Ministries, and Vecindarios 901, to name a few.
To those of you who are in fear of arrest and deportation: I’m so sorry. You are loved. Please be careful. We’ll continue to work for your safety and liberation.
Our neighbors deserve so much better. Memphis, be the protective and welcoming community I’ve come to know and love.
Reverend Patrick Harley is pastor at Evergreen Presbyterian Church and founder and co-director of Memphis Guns to Gardens.