Human Migration
Affirmation of the right to migrate, and support for migrating people, is one of the oldest faith-rooted policy positions. Abrahamic scriptures include stories of individual and community migration. The scriptural message is clear that we are not merely to welcome the sojourner, but to see ourselves in their face. Migration policy in the U.S. is primarily a national policy issue, but Texas plays a unique role because of our international border.
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Good Reads: Explainers from the National Immigration Forum
It takes a village to analyze U.S. immigration policy, and some of our favorite fellow villagers are the folks at the National Immigration Forum. Read some of their latest explainers here.
Invitation to Learn, Discern, and Reflect on Immigration with our Courts & Ports Program
We currently have a complex immigration system of laws and policies at our border that function to ensnare people seeking safety into a further labyrinth of confusion and...
Ep. 409 “Are You With Us?” Immigration Ministries in the Public Square
This week we are excited to introduce Robert Rivera, who wears many hats. Among them, he is Vice President of the Synod Council of the Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is also part of the Houston Faith Votes…
Inextricably Linked: Faith, Religion, and Migration
Migration has occurred since biblical times and is not a new phenomenon. People migrate for a multitude of reasons. One of these reasons is for religious persecution which is a...
“Dignity Is Not Revocable”- Reflections from Courts & Ports Participants
“The U.S. immigration system goes against religious values, especially Unitarian Universalist values.” “This system is the antithesis to seeing people as human.” “We keep hearing...
Human Mobility in Guadalajara with The Rhizome Center for Migrants
The Rhizome Center for Migrants hosts a one-week immersive learning experience in Guadalajara, Mexico. I am part of the 10th immigration learning group cohort in attendance with...
Hurricane Beryl Enters the US without a CPB One Appointment
Climate Migration and Hurricane Beryl From Africa to Canada, where it is now a “post-tropical cyclone”, there is no barrier, wall high enough, or restrictive immigration...
Dismantling Barriers Created by Our Own Immigration Laws
President Biden: “New Actions to Keep Families Together” President Biden announced two directives for the Department of Homeland Security that will keep American families...
“God Doesn’t Ask for a Passport Before He Showers You with Grace”
President Biden: Proclamation and Rule on “Securing the Border” Last week, President Biden announced his proclamation on “Securing the Border” that went into effect on June 5,...
Reflections from El Paso: We Will Resist Summit
“Bienvenida” Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the We Will Resist Summit held in the beautiful borderlands of El Paso. As my Uber driver dropped me off at my...
Correlation v. Causation: Texas Border Policies
The Data: Border Patrol Land Encounters in Texas Decrease As of January 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows that Border Patrol (BP) land encounters with...
SB4 Reality: “Stuck Against Competing Interests Between the State and Government”
The U.S. Department of Justice and the ACLU Texas have filed lawsuits against SB4. The ACLU TX and Texas Civil Rights Project also filed a motion for preliminary injunction to...
FAITH COMMUNITIES: HEED YOUR CALL TO EQUIP FOR SB4
After a year of managing our Courts & Ports Faithful Witness immersive program in the Rio Grande Valley, a common question that never failed to be asked was, “what can we do...
BORDER VIGIL HELD UNDER SURVEILLANCE OF OPERATION LONE STAR
Have you ever had to ask Texas Army National Guard Soldiers permission to enter a public park so that you can have the liberty to hold a vigil, pray, and sing worship songs in a...
IMMEDIATE WINTER NEEDS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Today and for the next couple of days in the Rio Grande Valley area, The National Weather Service issued a Wind Chill Advisory: “dangerously cold wind chills would result in...