It was through holy connections among a group of strangers, that Shovgi H. finally got home. Detained by ICE in Buffalo NY, despite having the right documents (including an academic visa valid through 2029), this native of Azerbaijan was dropping off a passenger near the “Peace Bridge” to Canada, where a confusing traffic pattern put him into a restricted area that led to his arrest. This situation has trapped dozens of drivers daily, and it’s now used by ICE for their purposes. Shovgi left his car and was taken first to Batavia NY, and then, for no good reason, transferred to Baldwin, Michigan’s North Lake Detention Center, nine hours away. That’s where Shovgi spent several weeks with other captured immigrants. Then a group of Episcopalians got involved, getting him home to Buffalo after his lawyer, employer, and friends arranged a hearing for his release.
“Do you know anyone who can help?”
Early on a Thursday morning, I read an email from a former parishioner in Buffalo, introducing me to the situation and asking for help getting their friend Shovgi home. “Do you know of any organizations that help immigrants that have been detained up there?” I didn’t yet, but I posted to our diocesan social-media app “Circle” with the question. Before 7:00 am three people had responded! “I’m not far from Baldwin,” “I know someone to contact,” “My wife is part of a network of drivers that help get people from North Lake.”
All during that day, we communicated through Circle and texts, as Shovgi’s friends in Buffalo and those in Baldwin let each other know what was happening next. He was granted the lowest bond ($1,500) by the federal judge. Once the transaction had cleared, probably the next day, he would be released.
The network of drivers – informed by Nancy M. and Mtr Radhajyoti, Episcopalians on the west side of the state – then prepared to get Shovgi to me on the east side. He had hoped to rent a car and drive himself, but upon release, ICE kept all his ID, telling him he would get it back once he checked in with ICE in Buffalo.
“Shovgi’s Ride Home”
It was after 7 p.m. on that Friday that Shovgi was finally released from the North Lake Center. What a time to send out an immigrant with no knowledge of where to go next! Fortunately, Shovgi knew he’d have help, just not who or what was arranged for him. With the help of Nancy, Mtr. Radha, and Pastor Dale in Grand Rapids, a group calling itself “The Overground Railroad” took care of him and another released detainee that night. Shovgi and a paper bag of possessions were transported from Baldwin to Grand Rapids by his first driver Steve, then on to Lansing by Shawn, then to Flint by Grace, where I met them at a McDonalds. He spent Friday night (after a couple of hours on the phone with his family!) sleeping at my home in Bloomfield before a final handoff south of Detroit, to our mutual friend Javid who drove him back to Buffalo. He was in his own bed Saturday night.
What an ordeal for Shovgi, who remained friendly, chatty, and extremely grateful throughout his journey. He told us about his family in Buffalo, his appreciation of the United States (well, most of the time), and the vocation that brought him here: Shovgi is a PhD neuroscientist, researching how addictions and Alzheimer’s disease affect the brain.
Reflecting on Grace
Sunday morning at St. Jude’s Church in Fenton, where I’m the priest-in-charge, I told this story and its ending drew applause, following expressions of anger, surprise, relief and sadness along the way. My parishioners were grateful to hear a good outcome in times like these, with the news full of worse ones.
Many said they want to help somehow: can I send donations toward gasoline or someone’s bond, or drive one leg of a trip home from the detention center? The selfless band of drivers on the west side of the state are working on informing, promoting and funding what they do (though they never asked for a dime, and refused Shovgi’s offer of a donation). I am grateful to God for each person who played a part in getting Shovgi home, be that a phone call, a prayer, or a hundred miles. I’m also grateful for the blessing of empowerment, of feeling less helpless. I hope each of you reading this will find an opportunity somewhere, for that little boost that keeps us going. God is good, even when humanity is struggling again to find its way.
The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams,
St. Jude’s, Fenton