Californian Episcopalian bishops have issued an open letter about protests and violence following federal immigration raids in Los Angeles which began on 6th June.
In it, six bishops from dioceses across the state expressed concern for those who have been detained and the effects on the wider community.
The bishops wrote: "We are concerned that military deployments will escalate the confrontations unnecessarily, and worry that all of our regions in California may be subject to future deployments that heighten tensions rather than resolving them."
The letter which features on the Episcopal News Service also quoted Bishop John Harvey Taylor, the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles, who posted on social media about his "deep pain and anger as 14 people in one single Episcopal congregation in that diocese were detained by ICE on Friday."
It continued: "People feel angry and threatened that the haven they sought in our communities is no longer safe. US citizens and legal residents feel deep grief at losing beloved friends and family members. Children whose parents are deported face uncertain futures. In our churches, we strive to protect our members who are at risk."
The bishops referenced their own Baptismal Covenant, asking the community: "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being (BCP p. 417)?"
The letter was signed by: Rt Rev Lucinda Ashby, Episcopal Bishop of El Camino Real; Rt Rev David Rice, Episcopal Bishop of San Joaquin; Rt Rev Austin K Rios, Episcopal Bishop of California; Rt Rev Susan Brown Snook, Episcopal Bishop of San Diego; Rt Rev John Harvey Taylor, Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles; and Rt Rev Megan Traquair, Episcopal Bishop of Northern California.
It comes as other Christian leaders have spoken of their concern over the heavy-handed nature of the operation.
Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, Pastor Alfredo Lopez said he witnessed a man near his church, Downey Memorial Christian Church, being surrounded by immigration officers.
He and fellow senior Pastor Tanya Lopez confronted the agents and repeatedly asked for their identification, but they refused and would not leave the car park.
"When we said that we don’t want this on our property, one of the agents shouted back, 'The whole country is their property'," he said.
Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began on 6th June using what has been described as "military-style" operations that arrested 44 people for alleged immigration violations, prompting tense confrontations with protesters.
Demonstrations were initially mostly peaceful, but later intensified and a curfew was enforced downtown.
President Trump subsequently federalised California’s National Guard, adding another 2,000 troops plus 700 US Marines in a rare deployment which many have described as an unnecessary escalation.