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Vigil to be held Wednesday for children separated from families at border

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The border with Mexico may sit more than 1,300 miles from Charlotte, but the immigration issue making headlines in recent weeks is resonating with citizens right now across our city. A growing chorus of church leaders have started looking to do something about it.

[RELATED: The Latest: Trump says he wants '3rd option' on immigration]

Nathan Arledge is the minister of missions and community engagement at Myers Park United Methodist Church.

His missionary work has taken him extensively to both Mexico and McAllen, Texas, one location where arrested migrant parents are being separated from their children.

"This isn't a partisanship issue. This is a moral compass issue," Arledge explained.

Arledge said church leadership in Charlotte has a responsibility to speak out against what's happening.

His church is hosting a solidarity vigil on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Other local faith leaders have spoken out as well, including Franklin Graham who tweeted in recent days "It is terrible to see families torn apart - it's disgraceful."

The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte pointed Channel 9 to previous statement's that call for the "humane" treatment of migrants arrested at the border.

"We have a responsibility to care for the least, the lost, the broken. For those who have been deemed illegal," said Arledge.

The Trump administration has said the family separations are simply the result of a new effort to enforce and criminally prosecute those who enter the country illegally. Children are not prosecuted, thus the separation.

"It just seems to be a great neglect of love of thy neighbor," Arledge said.

Arledge believes this story is relevant for those in Charlotte because of the fundamental human connection we all share.

"Just because there is miles distance, doesn’t mean there’s hearts distance" he said.

First Ward Park will host what's expected to be an even larger solidarity vigil at the end of this month. More interfaith leaders will come together with their congregations to raise awareness about what's happening on that border.

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