As the crackdown on illegal immigrants in southern California heats up, the region's interfaith communities are stepping up efforts to protect undocumented workers from what they call "political opportunism" in this election year. Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in downtown Los Angeles, or La Placita as it is commonly known, is leading the fight against the targeting of immigrants.

The parish has recently established "Centro San Juan Diego Del Immigrante," a center that addresses the particular needs of immigrants, both legal and illegal, in the L.A. area.

Recently La Placita declared itself a sanctuary for all immigrants and pledged to assist in the protection of their human rights and dignity.

"We denounce the current immigration raids, both within factories and in residences, which are only serving to terrorize our families. The raids are a symptom of our failed immigration policy and of political opportunism. They are separating mother from father, children from parents, and thus are inhuman and immoral," said parish leaders in a signed statement July 16.

The raids, which continue despite a cease and desist order by the Undersecretary of State Asa Hutchinson on June 18, are being carried out in the heavily Latino neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

"The raids are still causing a lot of fear with our parishioners and making them feel isolated. We let them know that La Placita is a sanctuary where they are safe from 'La Migra,'" said Claretian Missionary Father Arnold Abelardo, La Placita associate pastor. "Countries have a right to protect their borders, but people also have a right to migrate to search for better lives."

Through the immigrant's center, La Placita provides information to immigrants on their legal rights if they are stopped by law enforcement, as well as programs to assist with housing, employment educational and health issues. Training in English is offered, because "no matter how much we want to preserve our own culture we need to learn the language of this country," said Father Abelardo, a native of the Philippines.

La Placita is also joining forces with the community-building organization One L.A. to train parishioners and local residents to advocate for their own rights.

"There are over two million undocumented workers in Los Angeles alone and together they are a powerful voice," said Claretian Missionary Father Steve Niskanen, pastor of La Placita. "The raids are immoral and unjust. They are looking at the strict observation of the law but not at how this is tearing apart and terrorizing communities."

Critics of the immigrant raids say this strict observation of the law fails to take into account the significant part that undocumented workers play in the state's economy.

"Immigrants are very hard working and studies show that they contribute heavily to this economy. They work and pay taxes to the government yet they can receive no benefits from the government," added Father Abelardo.

Parishioner Silvia Hernandez has many friends who are caught in the situation of having much to contribute to the economy of Los Angeles but are unable to work in their area of expertise because they lack the proper documentation.

Hernandez, a 23-year-old student at Santa Monica City College said that many of her friends have college degrees but are not able to work in their field because of their undocumented status. She is an advocate for the passage of the DREAM Act, congressional legislation that would allow undocumented students and military personnel to gain permanent citizenship after a proscribed amount of time.

"People come here for a better life and choose to stay because the economy is better," said Hernandez. "All we're asking for is a chance to contribute. We have a lot of talent and a lot to give to this country."

Father Abelardo notes the importance of gathering people from many different countries, classes and backgrounds to work together on issues that affect them all.

"Having everyone together, sharing their struggles brings people together in a way they normally would not interact," he noted. "They realize that even though they may come from different places they have many similarities in common."

Although heavily Latino, La Placita is culturally diverse serving immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and a number of other Latin American countries. And each brings their own customs, traditions and assumptions about other cultures with them, said Father Abelardo.

"That's why it's important we have [One L.A.] bringing all communities together to work on these issues in our city," he said.

Added parishioner Reina De La Paz Mabin: "We work here as a team because as human beings we are all responsible for the world. What effects one affects everyone."