![\"Auxiliary](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SUT-L-CHURCH-HEARINGS-9.jpg\")
Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego Ramon Bejarano blesses the volunteers at the orientation. (Ana Ramirez \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
The tactic has affected individuals who have been in the country for less than two years and now face expedited removal.<\/p>\n
The program is being organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe church and the San Diego Organizing Project, a network of faith and spiritual congregations. Other faith communities are expected to join the effort.<\/p>\n
The plan continues the work done by several other human rights advocates who have volunteered to be present in courtroom hallways over the past several weeks. On June 20, as part of World Refugee Day, San Diego Catholic Bishop Michael Pham led a coalition of religious leaders that accompanied immigrants<\/a> and asylum seekers.<\/p>\n But on that day, the federal immigration agents who usually wait in the hallway left shortly after the group arrived. There were no arrests, according to the volunteers who regularly join immigrants.<\/p>\n Pham said at the time he would consider returning if needed. He is expected to do so on Tuesday.<\/p>\n When asked if he expected a day without arrests again, he noted that \u201cas we enter the court, anything could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we are being present. And that\u2019s what is important for the people to see that there is support, that the people do care. That\u2019s what is needed,\u201d the newly installed bishop added.<\/p>\n Pham said he hopes refugees and asylum seekers will find some peace in the presence of volunteers as they prepare to face what lies ahead.<\/p>\n More than 50 volunteers have already signed up for the program. On Monday, they gathered at the San Diego Catholic Pastoral Center in Clairemont for a blessing and orientation. Three rows of volunteers had their questions answered while Pham listened from the back of the room.<\/p>\n The Rev. Scott Santarosa of Our Lady of Guadalupe said the bishop was interested in developing a program to continue the momentum seen in June.<\/p>\n Santarosa, who was part of the group that went to the federal building then, said he has been back in courtrooms ever since. He described witnessing people being arrested after their hearings as \u201cterrible.\u201d<\/p>\n For Gloria Morales-Palos, a community volunteer and co-chair of the San Diego Organizing Project, the program hits close to home. She said that she lived as an undocumented immigrant for several years, but she has been a U.S. citizen for 20 years now.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what it\u2019s like to be in a system where you don\u2019t know what will happen or what your future will be, or if you\u2019ll be separated from your family,\u201d she said. \u201cUnder this administration, we have seen things get worse. If we cannot stop the deportation process for many families, then at least they should not go through it alone. They should feel supported and know that someone cares about them.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SUT-L-CHURCH-HEARINGS-14.jpg\")
A table displaying FAITH buttons for volunteers to wear to court is displayed while San Diego Catholic Bishop Michael Pham speaks about the pilot program. (Ana Ramirez \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
![\"Margie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SUT-L-CHURCH-HEARINGS-8.jpg\")
Margie Carroll, a volunteer, becomes emotional while learning about the pilot program. (Ana Ramirez \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n