Durham community holds prayer vigil for immigrant families

Hispanic religious groups gathered at a church in Durham on Sunday night for a prayer service.

Posted 4:01 a.m. Feb 11, 2019 — Updated 4:01 a.m. Feb 11, 2019

DURHAM, N.C. — Hispanic religious groups gathered at New Creation United Methodist Church in Durham on Sunday night for a prayer service.

The gathering comes after a difficult week for immigrant families in North Carolina.

More than 200 people were arrested in various "targeted enforcement" actions in the state in recent days, including 27 taken into custody at a Sanford gun manufacturer on Tuesday, according to Sean Gallagher, who oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in the Carolinas and Georgia.

27 people detained by ICE at gun manufacturer in Sanford

While the agency maintains they were targeting criminal offenders, Hispanic leaders say the community now is fearful.

The church pews were filled with people empathizing with their immigrant neighbors

"I just imagine coming home myself and finding that my parents aren't home and my heart goes out to them. I wouldn't want to be there. Ever," said Jeryl Lockley.

Others are praying for answers.

ICE defends NC raids, saying sheriffs releasing dangerous individuals

"My prayer is that the cries of the marginalized will be heard. And people will be motivated to take a action to protest against this injustice which is happening in our community," said Ann Norris.

A spokesperson for ICE says the operation were conducted as a result of ongoing criminal investigations and not random raids.

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