In light of recent immigration raids in Southern California, Cardinal Roger Mahony has requested a meeting with the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP), and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

"Recent interior activity has generated fear, confusion and anger throughout the Hispanic neighborhoods in Southern California," said Cardinal Mahony in a June 21 letter to Robert Bonner, commissioner of the BCBP, a division of Homeland Security. "Sadly, there are those who have exploited the fear and confusion, magnifying the negative impact."

The cardinal said he, his auxiliary bishops and the leaders of L.A. Metro-IAF are calling on the BCBP and the media to act responsibly.

L.A. Metro, an association of multi-denominational and multi-ethnic church community organizations, has been organizing public actions to speak out against recent immigration raids. Community leaders want an investigation and clarification of the immigration authority's procedures and enforcement policies and tactics.

They say inflammatory coverage in both English and Spanish media has led some families to keep children home from school and cancel doctors' visits. It has impacted local commerce.

Arrests of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal documents have been confirmed in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. But Father Jarlath Cunnane, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Los Angeles, said one of his Latina parishioners --- who does have documents --- was recently detained for two hours.

Father Cunnane said he is concerned about the racial profiling involved in the immigration inspections that target factories, markets or laundromats in Latino neighborhoods.

"It's creating unnecessary suffering and fear and panic among people who are just trying to live and work and raise their families," said Father Cunnane.

Recent public actions in protest of immigration raids have been held at Our Lady Queen of Angles Church (La Placita) in Los Angeles and Sacred Heart Church in Pomona. Participants have included numerous religious leaders --- among them, Our Lady of the Angels Region Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark, San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala and parish priests --- as well as elected officials and labor leaders.

Some 150 residents marched from the Esperanza Community Housing Corporation, on the grounds of St. Vincent School in Los Angeles, to a nearby children's health services clinic June 18. Sister of Social Service Diane Donoghue, Esperanza's executive director, said the clinic had received more than 600 cancellations in June after BCBP set up a check point on the Harbor Freeway Adams exit off ramp.

She said another check point asking passerby for identification was set up across the street from Norwood Elementary School June 22 during the graduation ceremony of children involved in the school's Healthy Start program.

"That's just unconscionable. That says there are terrorists instead of neighbors going to school and going to a clinic," said Sister Donoghue.