Letter to John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Targeting Highland Park Refugees

Letter

Dear Director Tsoukaris:

I am writing to you on behalf of Harry Pangemanan, a Christian Indonesian national, who appears to be targeted for detainment by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well Gunawan Liem of Piscataway and Roby Sanger of Metuchen who were arrested this morning.

Harry Pangemanan, currently the Minister of Facilities and Disaster Relief for Churches Accomplishing Long-Term Recovery (CALTR), was recently honored by the Highland Park Human Relations Commission. He was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award in recognition of his work during Hurricane Sandy, which included organizing thousands of volunteers and repairing over 200 homes.

It is deeply concerning that shortly after Mr. Pangemanan was publicly honored for his significant work, ICE would target Mr. Pangemanan and attempt to detain him. Therefore, I request from your office an explanation as to why he is being targeted by ICE for detainment. Further, I believe the situation merits a larger discussion as to how we can better address the overarching issues surrounding the detainment of Christian Indonesian nationals in my district.

By way of background, my office has been working with the Reformed Church of Highland Park, for approximately nine (9) years, in order to provide some relief to Christian Indonesians that came to the United States in the late 1990's, and overstayed their nonimmigrant visitor's visas. As you are aware, in 2013, after the deportation of many Christian Indonesians and the sanctuary of others, some individuals including Mr. Pangemanan were issued Stays of Removal. Currently, Mr. Pangemanan is, once again, seeking sanctuary from detainment and deportation.

On May 18, 2017, I contacted you on behalf of Saul Timisela, Arino Massie, Rovani Wangko and Oldy Manolo, who were detained by ICE and, shortly thereafter, deported to Indonesia. These men, amongst others, were returned to a county that has a record of persecuting religious minorities for practicing their beliefs.

I understand that your agency is tasked with carrying out the priorities of the current Administration, however, I urge you to continue to exercise prosecutorial discretion in dealing with Christian Indonesians. I look forward to your review of this matter and prompt reply.

Sincerely,

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