COURTS & PORTS
Courts & Ports is a 2-day immersion experience designed to build understanding of the many challenges facing migrants and public servants at the Texas-Mexico border. The project builds on work Texas Impact has been doing for years with faith communities across the state in building bridges between direct action and policy advocacy. Bearing witness to the current situation on the border helps equip people of faith from across Texas for potent advocacy for just immigration policies. Through interactions with policy experts; law enforcement officials; volunteers; and asylum seekers, participants gain perspective on the unique constellation of policy, logistical, and humanitarian issues in play.
CURRENT ACTIONS
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To find out about registering a group for a Courts & Ports trip,
email fabi@texasimpact.org -
To schedule an informational presentation about Courts & Ports, email fabi@texasimpact.org
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Watch video testimonials at facebook.com/texasimpact
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EVENT INFORMATION
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
Participants in the “Courts and Ports” program will:
- Observe first-hand the operation of the U.S. immigration system and current policies related to border security
- Interact directly with individuals who are seeking asylum in the U.S.
- Participate in theological and policy discussions with grassroots and faith leaders
- Practice storytelling and communication with skilled trainers so they can share their experiences effectively with their home communities
- Become part of a facilitated online “Courts and Ports Alumni” community that will work to change the nature of the immigration debate in local congregations and neighborhoods.
THE BASICS
- The program is designed for groups of no more than eight, and no fewer than two.
- Participants can all be from the same congregation, or Texas Impact can match up participants from multiple congregations up to a maximum of eight.
- Program tuition covers hotel costs, two meals, and program costs. Tuition is $350 for those who share a hotel room with another member of their party, and $450 for those who choose single occupancy. Participants are responsible for their own travel costs.
- Each trip will last two full days. Participants arrive the night before the first day. In some cases participants choose to depart the night of the second day, but most go home the following morning.
- Courts & Ports is open to individuals 18 years of age and up only.
- All participants must have a valid government-issued form of identification such as a driver’s license or passport. To participate in bridge crossings, participants should have a valid U.S. passport.
- Participants sign a covenant agreement stating that they understand the program rules, and that they will bear witness in their home community to their experiences in the program.
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
Note: Schedules are designed to be as responsive as possible to the rapidly changing policy environment. Participants are expected to remain flexible in the face of opportunities or challenges outside Texas Impact’s control.
Sunday
6:30PM – Arrive and check in
Monday
7:00AM – Breakfast at hotel
8:30AM – Briefing with Courts & Ports trip leader
10:00AM – Bridge crossing, service and fellowship with migrants
12:00PM – Lunch
2:00PM – Volunteer shift
4:00PM – Debrief
5:00PM – Dinner
Tuesday
7:00AM – Breakfast at hotel
8:00AM – Briefing with Courts & Ports trip leader
9:00AM – Immigration court observation
11:00AM – Grab and go lunch
12:00PM – MPP court observation
4:00PM – Debrief
5:00PM – Worship
6:00PM – Dinner
NEWS + UPDATES
Lutheran Bishops Urge End to Operation Lone Star
This week, the three ELCA Lutheran bishops of Texas issued a joint letter to Governor Abbott urging him to end Operation Lone Star. The letter was coordinated by the ELCA AMMPARO...
Rampant Patterns of Cruelty
These past few weeks have clearly showcased, how US immigration piecemeal policies and illegal state intrusion of federal immigration enforcement laws, have created the...
Border Barriers, Lawsuits, Death: Heeding the Call for Faith in Action
The above photograph depicts Pastor Barberi, some Courts & Ports participants, praying alongside asylum seeking families waiting for a CBP One appointment at an encampment in...
UPCOMING EVENTS
PROGRAMMING
Ep. 415 COP and Go: Updates from the Global Climate Summit
This week we turn our attention to the other side of the globe as we welcome Texas Impact’s Climate Action Fellow, Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards to the program. Becca recently returned from the 29th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP), the global…
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Ep. 414 Turn, Turn, Turn
Well… we had an election… and we know folks have lots of feelings, and we are going to talk about feelings today. But, in addition to that, we are going to talk about how the election impacts Texas, and we are going to talk about what Texans of…
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Ep.413 Every Day: Civility and Compassion for Community
Election day is almost upon us! You have heard us talk for years about Texas’ low voter turnout and how that impacts public policy. If you are listening to this before election day, you have a chance to do something about that. Many of us are…
Read More