What does it mean to help someone?

This is the story of Arturo, a man from Guatemala. Yesteday, Luis and I picked up a bunch of stuff he wanted to donate to needy immigrant families. He gave us an air conditioner, two tires, a portable and regular crib, a car seat, some kids' toys and some baby clothes. Arturo, his wife and young child are on their way out of state because he was arrested by ICE last month. Arturo thought that he'd be OK because he was a member of a local organization that says it helps immigrants get legal representation. He had told me that he was all set when I asked if he needed help getting a lawyer. It turns out, of course, that he wasn't all set because he has no defense as he is undocumented and "entered without inspection." So, now they are on they're way to another state in hopes of eluding a free trip back over the border. It was sweet of them to donate stuff to us so that we can pass it around to others who need things for their kids. After Luis and I dropped off their stuff at the church we brought them some food we had left over to help them when they arrive at their new home. Maseca, rice, beans and a big jar of peanut butter. We wished them well and a safe trip.

The thing that annoys me is the way certain organizations prey upon these people to further their own goals. Arturo had been told he'd get a lawyer because he paid his yearly dues. And he had believed that he'd be OK and not get deported because he belonged to an organization that promised to defend his rights. (What they probably didn't tell him is that he doesn't really have many rights, when it comes to the Department of Homeland Security.) Then, Arturo told us that he was going to have a hearing with the police, the mayor's office and someone from immigration to discuss his case. He came back from that meeting very deflated and said it had nothing to do with fixing his own case but was about the situation of immigrants in general. He said he felt tricked to come and tell his story. It's OK to lobby and meet with officials to ask them to change their practices. What's not OK is to ask people to come to testify or tell their stories without it being absolutely clear that this won't help them with their particular case. They gave Arturo hope. And, that hope was false. That's what I mean by preying on others, giving them false hope and using their stories to tell the community about all the great work you're doing with immigrants.