How is Elder Doing?
Pastors Andy Yarnell and Davis Johnson were able to visit Elder over two days last week. Even while dealing with the reality that anything could happen at the end of the judge’s 10 day extension, Elder continued to let his amazing personality show through with humor and funny stories. They also spoke about Elder’s desire to try out for the kicker position on his high school football team, and wanting to be home and participate in typical high school activities, like Homecoming. School has officially started at Asbury High, and Elder is now officially missing his senior year – in addition to the half of junior year he has already missed. The bottom line is Elder should be at home, attending school, trying out for football – not in a detention center.
Pastors Andy and Davis were also able to meet with another detainee named Juan. Juan is a single father of small children, and has not been able to have a single video call with them since he has been detained. Our pastors and Elder’s teacher Carmen were able to coordinate a video call so that Juan and his children could finally see each other. Pastor Davis is also mailing Juan photos of his children.
As of this writing, our Pennsylvania advocates Vicki and Martha are currently in Louisiana visiting with Elder and other detainees. We are so grateful to have so many advocates willing and able to travel far and wide to ensure Elder is able to have in person visits. Below is a summary of yesterday’s visit from Martha:
Vicki and I were able to visit with Elder in the morning for a little over an hour. He was shy at first but warmed up once he got to know us a little. We talked about his family, his team, Carlos and Angela, his welding and woodworking, and other topics. He shared that had been painting (his job where he is paid $1 a day) before our visit.
He laughed a few times (he thought it was funny when Vicki and I talked about how we had been eavesdropping on people while waiting at the gate to be let into the Winn parking lot; he also laughed remembering how Mother Kris wanted to baptize him during her first visit, and when remembering how many boxes of stuff Carlos had when he was released). But mostly he seemed like he was waiting for us to tell him something, and he asked if there were any updates on his bond hearing. We let him know that the team is working hard and doing everything we can to bring him home.
One of the most striking moments was halfway into the visit when he looked over at Vicki and said, I know you. We looked at him for a moment in surprise, then he explained that Carlos and Angela had sent him a picture from the postcard event at Messiah, the picture of everyone with their “Elder’s Chair” coloring pages, and he recognized Vicki from that photo.
Did You Know?
Our government has spent $22,705 so far to keep Elder detained (source). It costs taxpayers $11,915 per student annually to operate public schools like Asbury High School (where Elder is a student) in the Marshall County School District (source). We are spending more to detain Elder than to educate him.
Rep. Joaquin Castro’s staff continues to lend advice to Elder’s case. Meanwhile, Team Elder continues to follow up with Sen. Britt and Rep. Aderholt’s offices to gather any updates. None have been reported thus far, but that doesn’t mean we will stop asking!
Team Elder, like Elder himself, is preparing for every scenario possible as we approach the habeas petition proceedings. The judge gave the government a 10 day window to give Elder a bond hearing. Advocates from Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Alabama have been coordinating resources to ensure that we can support Elder no matter what happens as his habeas petition continues. As of now, there are multiple advocates ready to jump in their cars & pick Elder up to get him home.
Our Community In Action
GoFundMe Update – We are just below meeting our first goal of $10,000. Click here to donate or share to others who can. Our overall goal is $20,000 – not only does Elder have legal costs, but he could have a bond to post. Until the bond hearing happens, there is no way to know how much that cost would be. Elder will also need financial support after he is home to catch up on missed studies while in detention.
Prayer in Action. The support for Elder has been continuing to grow within the United Methodist Church. Not only have congregations prayed for Elder’s release, but they have put action to their prayers. Recently, Long Memorial UMC got together and wrote letters to Elder and Juan, and postcards to Rep. Aderholt. UMC pastors are engaging church leadership, and they are responding. Our UMC friends are demonstrating in real time how action and prayer can work together.
One of our advocates, Pastor Carol Gullatt, has started checking on families like Elder’s to see if they need help with things like groceries. Sadly, Elder is not the only one from that community in ICE detention. The families of those in detention need help as well, so they can fight for their loved ones. We’ve decided we need to keep track of these needs and do what we can to provide that support.
Labor Day Action – or Party? Team Elder continues to plan for any scenario. On September 6, if Elder is still detained, it will be 250 days, and we will need to call attention to the fact he is not home yet. If he has been released by then, we will need to celebrate! More details to come as the event comes together.