Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are now aggressively rounding up legally resettled refugees in Minnesota and preparing to widen the search across the country, a national immigration advocate warned. “ICE officers have actually shown up at their doors and, if…
Administration concedes defeat in removing DEI from schools
The Trump administration has conceded defeat in its effort to force public school districts to abandon civil rights protections and diversity, equity and inclusion programs that benefit students. The victory came Jan. 21 when the U.S. Department of Education filed…
BNG podcasts and social media address Twin Cities issues
Two of BNG’s podcast have released segments addressing ICE actions in Minneapolis-St. Paul and the reactions to that show of force. On “Stuck in the Middle with You,” co-hosts Mark Wingfield and Benjamin Cole seek to discover if there’s anything…
Ten Commandments cases get a new hearing in New Orleans
The fight over posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms returned to court Jan. 20 when the full 17-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in two cases challenging new laws in Louisiana…
In Texas, a terrorism designation derails a youth sports league
Because Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated the Council on American Islamic Relations as a foreign terrorism organization, a Muslim youth sports league has been denied use of a public school facility. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, which lies in the heart…
Faith leaders call for end to ICE aggression in communities
The tactics of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents hunting down people of color evokes memories of the oppression Black Americans have faced throughout U.S. history, said Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention USA. “ICE reminds us of…
Memphis churches demand justice for Afghan refugees
A coalition of churches in Memphis, Tenn., has joined the chorus of voices demanding justice for lawfully resettled Afghan refugees targeted for detention and deportation by federal immigration authorities. “The challenge we’re finding is that many of the of the…
Trey’s Law announced as priority in Georgia
On Jan. 15, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced during his State of the State address that passage of “Trey’s Law” will be a priority of First Lady Marty Kemp and the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion and Education Commission. Trey’s Law legislation seeks…
Protest at St. Paul church ignites cries of religious persecution
In a year of political divisiveness, a Sunday protest at a Southern Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minn., has drawn a new line in the sand. Protesters led by former CNN anchor Don Lemon entered Cities Church during Sunday morning…
Civil rights leaders issue warning, call for Noem’s impeachment
Federal attacks against refugees and undocumented immigrants represent an imminent threat to the constitutional rights of all Americans, UnidosUS President Janet Murguia said. “The government overreach and abuse of power we have seen from the Trump administration is unlawful, unacceptable…
‘This is a five-alarm fire’
Civil rights advocates are protesting the arrests of lawfully resettled refugees as part of the Trump administration’s widening mass detention and deportation campaign. Federal immigration agents have arrested dozens of refugees who were cleared by extensive security screenings before being…
Webinars to prepare United Methodists for new direction
United Methodist bishops are seeking to educate and elevate new leadership for the worldwide denomination as it enters 2026 with a new structure and goals after half a decade of turmoil and disaffection. Toward those ends, three webinars are planned…