South Florida

South Florida

South Florida is a very diverse area. Dade County, which surrounds Miami and encompasses 2.5 million people, is 65% Hispanic (40% of these are Cuban) with White, Blacks and Haitians making up the next largest groups. There are 152 languages spoken in Dade County and 70 percent of the people speak a language other than English at home. With the diversity also comes mistrust and tension between the ethnic groups of South Florida. Ethnocentrism, polarization and ongoing injustice are frequent here.

It is in this diverse context that 36 Brethren in Christ, 28 Mennonite and, three Amor Viviente congregations minister in the name of Christ. These MCC constituent congregations reflect the diversity of the area — 47 are Hispanic, 7 are Haitian, 13 are Anglo and one congregation is Garífuna.

The MCC South Florida program responds to the needs of the community through immigration services, creative after-school programs for youth, home ownership training, as well as food collection, food pantries, tax preparation and other services through the South Florida Urban Ministries organization. As Diverse Constituency Relations Coordinator/Program Coordinator, Andrew lead the program and also relates closely to Hispanic and Haitian congregations in the area. He builds bridges between MCC and local constituent churches and assists in training for Hispanic pastors and leaders.

One way the MCC South Florida program responds to the needs of the community is through immigration services. Rachel Diaz, who works providing immigration legal services through the MCC East Coast South Florida program, shares the story of one recent client.

Since January 2007, we have been representing "J" in his immigration proceedings. His wife called one day frantically seeking legal help for her husband. He had been detained by immigration officers and taken to a detention center to await deportation to Mexico. She had consulted with other attorneys, but was unable to pay their fees. Her Brethren in Christ pastor immediately referred her to the MCC East Coast South Florida Immigration Program and assured her she would receive the help she needed. The deportation of "J" would mean the loss of a husband, father and sole provider of this family of eight. From the onset, the case was difficult, offering more challenges than hope. Overcoming an order of deportation is never an easy task. We went before immigration judges at least five times; every time more nerve-racking than the last. After six hours of hearings before an immigration judge, our case was denied. We were devastated. Deportation orders were in effect pending the submission of an appeal.

In an attempt to exhaust all legal recourse available for "J", we submitted an appeal; given the circumstances and outcome of the case, a successful result was not likely. We were ecstatic and brought to tears when many months later we received the answer to the appeal. It had been granted in part and remanded in part to the court for further proceedings. This may sound ambiguous, but believe us when we say this is a VICTORY.

Andrew Bodden meets with pastors from the Amor Viviente group at a recent gathering. The Amor Viviente (Living Love) group has more than 10,000 members in countries from Chile to Canada. Connecting with this and other groups is a part of his efforts as Diverse Constituency Relations Coordinator.

Contact Information:

Washington Square Building
111 NW 183rd Street, suite #403
Miami Gardens, FL. 33169

Tel: (305) 249-3477
Fax: (305) 249-3476
E-mail: mccflorida@bellsouth.net