Why a Stockton pastor carries his passport with him

In San Joaquin County, California, migrant families worried about deportation are turning to Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina in Stockton for refuge and spiritual support. Pastor Nelson Rabell-González leads the bilingual Lutheran congregation, which he describes as a “migrant church,” and emphasizes that welcoming vulnerable and marginalized people is central to Christian faith. His message is that all people are children of God, regardless of borders, labels, or political divisions.

The story also explains why Pastor Rabell-González, a Black Puerto Rican and natural-born U.S. citizen, carries his passport with him: he wants to underscore the fear many people feel about racial profiling and immigration enforcement. Parishioners describe anxiety for loved ones without legal status, while the pastor says his ministry is focused on giving immigrant communities dignity, hope, and peace. The report notes that his churches are currently protected from ICE raids under a federal court preliminary injunction.

The Rev. Nelson H. Rabell-González, M. Div., STM, and BSME is pastor at Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina (Stockton,CA) and Saron Lutheran Church (Escalon, CA) — ELCA Region 2.