Recent Articles
Civic Engagement
DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023: Bipartisan Immigration Reform Based on “Biblical Principles of Dignity and Redemption”
TLDR: Migrant asylum encampment conditions worsen in Northern Mexico as migrants are forced to wait for CBP One appointments among other "legal walls" that they are subjected to. On the other hand, there is a proposed Bipartisan Immigration Reform bill introduced by...
Call to Faith In Action: Team Brownsville Needs All Hands on Deck
Militarized Response to Humanitarian Crisis As I detailed in a previous post, Title 42 is nearing its end on May 11, 2023 and as a result many changes in processing of asylum seekers at the border are going to take place. In conjunction with the migration plan...
Houston, We Have Work to Do
People of Faith Are Preparing to Get Out the VoteAs the 88th Texas Legislature marches on, a group of Texas Impact advocates in the Greater Houston area met this week to set their sights beyond the session and start considering how to focus their energy after sine...
Climate Justice
Texas Impact Staff Attend South Central Climate Resilience Forum
When you are working on something as challenging as climate change advocacy, it is important to find things to give you hope. That was the message Katharine Hayhoe gave us as the keynote speaker of the South Central Climate Resilience Forum, a gathering of scientists,...
Texas Impact Climate Action Team
Have you ever wondered why last summer was so much hotter than the summers you remember as a child? Have you tried to strike up a conversation about PUC rulemaking with your hairdresser/mechanic/neighbor but been disappointed they didn’t want to talk about it as much...
New Tax Incentive Law Brings Up Environmental Justice Concerns
Texas Tribune recently reported that several petrochemical companies who are beneficiaries of a tax incentive program designed to lure industry to the state are also frequent violators of state and federal air quality regulations. The article refers to a report by the...
Economic Justice
Labor Day Litany
Litany for Texas Workers for Sunday, September 3, 2023 (Adapt for Your Faith Tradition) God, we ask your presence and blessing upon workers, this Labor Day and every day. God of care, empower us to move and rest in your restorative justice for all. God,...
What is a public school chaplain? Texas school children may soon find out.
What is a public school chaplain? Texas school children may soon find out. In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 763, which gives public school districts the option to hire religiously affiliated chaplains. However, the bill provides no definition, job...
Moms Need 12 Months of Postpartum Medicaid
Now that HB 12 ensuring 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage is in the Senate, your congregation or group can help get the bill over the finish line...but there's no time to waste! Please use the model language below to help you draft your own letter—it would be...
Human Rights
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 destination, we chatted in Spanglish, and I eventually disclosed it was my first time in El...
Reflecting on the SACReD Gathering 2024
This week, I spent time in New Orleans attending the SACReD Gathering 2024. SACReD, or the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, is an organization “collaborating to advance Reproductive Justice through congregational education, culture change,...
International Religious Freedom: Fighting for the Common Good
Guest blog post by Rev. Mel Caraway and Rev. Phil DiekeWe had a great meeting today with a delegation from Tajikistan on "International Religious Freedom." Their visit was sponsored by the Department of State and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. ...