Guzy had been struck by the strong anti-immigrant sentiment she saw and heard as she photographed the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. On her trip to New York less than a year later, she decided to go by the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, where immigration proceedings were taking place under heightened pressure from the Trump administration to increase the rate of deportations. Guzy began observing and taking pictures, building trust with families and finding herself in conversations with federal law enforcement officers who have become the often-masked face of government action.
“When I went the first day, I was convinced that I needed to stay,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d be here this long, but there we are.”
Guzy has seen many advocates and activists at the federal building, including the Rev. Fabián Arias, a pastor at St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan with a decades-long ministry in the sanctuary movement. Arias is among the clergy who show up for the weekly Jericho Walk. Coordinated by the New Sanctuary Coalition, the walk is a way to protest these proceedings and to accompany and provide resources for frightened families attending court hearings.
“We are the human family, and we need to protect one another, because you are my sister, because you are part of this life, and part of this world. The world is our house, and we live in this house,” Arias said. “In my life, in my personal heart, they are my sisters, my brothers, because we are that family. And I need to protect my brothers and my sisters because we have the same Father, God, and we need to protect who he asks.”
The images below are a fraction of those Guzy has captured. She and Arias spoke with Faith & Leadership’s Aleta Payne about their experience in the courts and with the families. Their remarks have been edited for clarity and length.
THE PASTOR
Arias, himself an immigrant from Argentina, accompanies families into court for what they hope will be the next legal step in their efforts to remain in the United States.
Fabián Arias: In Genesis, when God called Cain and asked to Cain, “Where is your brother?” And Cain responded, “I don’t know where is my brother. I’m no guardian of my brother.” My answer is, “Yes, I’m a guardian of my brother. I need to take care of my brother.”
And in San Mateo, when Jesus says, “I was hungry, and you fed me; I was in the prison, and you helped me.” My brother, my sister, especially when they come to this country, they’re just looking for a safe life. In many countries, it’s a very difficult political and social situation. They abandon the country because they’re really, really, really in a very difficult situation. What we want [is] to protect them and accompany them.”
Among the clergy, activists and advocates regularly at the court, Guzy said Arias has stood out to her.
