Residents of Merrill Gardens in Hillsboro, Ore., hold up signs advocating the removal of federal immigration agents in the Portland area. (Photo by Franky Pablo, Merrill Gardens Activities Director).
Special to United Methodist Insight | July 16, 2026
I had intended to write a fairly generic column on “the nature of reality,” with some hopefully germane examples thrown in. Then on July 11, I stood on the corner of 4th and Main for our weekly vigil to give support to our immigrant neighbors and to protest Trumpian anti-immigration tactics.
The sign I held read “Justice Is Best Served Neat – Without ICE.” A man walked by and politely asked us, “Why don’t you like ICE?” Our exchange showed the perception gap we had; but he and we were civil as we disagreed. Even when I called ICE agents “thugs,” the man stayed civil.
His brother has been an ICE agent for a year and has reportedly only gone after (my term) the “worst of the worst.” I told him that is not what we have both read and seen in the news and have heard from people in Hillsboro, Oregon, where I live.
After he left, I wished I had asked him if he was aware of the July 9 killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. Salgado Araujo was undocumented, but that status didn’t call for his execution. Tragically, he wasn’t even the intended target of those ICE agents!
Salgado’s senseless death is certainly a tragic slice of reality for countless people in our country, including here in Hillsboro. Perhaps the man we spoke with hadn’t paid attention to that man’s death in Houston.
I have no idea. But it does seem like our conversation was with a man who embraced a different slice of reality about what ICE agents are doing in America.
The Guardian news service reported on July 9 that Salgado was the 10th fatal shooting victim in 2026 by ICE and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) agents. Additionally, 21 persons have died in ICE detention since President Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2026.
Tragic! Disgusting! Unnecessary!
And that, my reader friends, is only a small slice of the reality we are living today.
Another small slice of reality also showed itself on July 12 at 4th and Main in Hillsboro. That slice was noticeably more encouraging, even if its future effect is murkier to predict. We heard many horns honk in support. We spoke with pedestrians who supported our presence.
Some engaged us in conversations that encouraged our own hope that so many of us – together – can change our current circumstances if we can only stay the course. Again, together!
We’ve heard from young mothers whose grade-school children ask them why we elders are standing on a street corner to affirm what we believe. That kindles real hope that our gray hair and wrinkles just might prompt younger minds to focus on the slices of reality that affirm people – not arrest, imprison or shoot them.
So perhaps we must remind ourselves that part of our reality is this: we must choose which slice of reality is worth standing up for!
I read a good many statements on social media and other readings that list out the policies and actions of the Trump administration. These lay bare horrific practices on immigration, or the economy’s impact on millions of people, or how the mid-term elections may be negatively manipulated. Plus more!
These reality slices are then contrasted with the “policies and actions” of, for instance, Jesus as we know him in the Gospels. A stark and revealing contrast to be sure. So if you’re into making clear choices, those reality-slice choices couldn’t be clearer.
I do wish I could visit with the polite man who disagreed with us on July 11. Maybe his reality-slice could change some.
The Rev. Paul R. Graves
The Rev. Paul R. Graves is a “retired and repurposed” United Methodist pastor who has been active in “elderhood” ministry and civic affairs for decades. Formerly mayor of Sandpoint, Wash., he now resides in Hillsboro, Ore., to be close to his grandchildren.