Comprehensive immigration reform is needed to uphold the values that “make America, America” but has at best a slim chance getting past Congressional Republicans still enmeshed in the anti-immigrant xenophobia stoked by President Donald Trump, said William Kristol, a political…
On anniversary of El Paso massacre, leaders connect the bullets to beliefs of white supremacy
Two years after the gun massacre at an El Paso Walmart, fears of “the great replacement” continue to stoke violence in America, according to participants in a livestreamed memorial for the 23 killed on Aug. 3, 2019. White supremacists emboldened…
God bless the USA but don’t mess with Texas: Reflections on America by a native Texan returning to Texas
I recently returned to Texas after living in Boston for the last several years. I grew up in Texas. I’m not unaccustomed to the culture here, but sometimes I’m a bit taken off guard by aspects of West Texas culture…
In Congress, we support the New Partnerships Initiative because it addresses migration at the source of the problem
In June, Texas announced a $250 million state-funded down payment to continue the construction of the southern border wall without federal support. Since the announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott, thousands of dollars have been raised in private donations from other…
Despite the challenges, Americans still favor immigration
A surge in U.S. southern border crossings and apprehensions in 2021 and heated debates about the continued expulsions of asylum seekers, the detention of unaccompanied child migrants and the fate of the DACA program have not dissuaded most Americans from…
Pressure mounts on White House to rescind another Trump immigration policy
The pressure is steadily mounting on President Joe Biden to rescind a federal health code provision allowing the U.S. to summarily expel asylum seekers and immigrants to the home countries where they faced persecution. Immigrant rights groups, including Baptist and…
Federal judge’s ruling against DACA ignites faith leaders’ demands for Congress to finally do something
The White House and Congress are getting an earful from faith-based and other human rights organizations alarmed that a federal judge in Texas ruled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to be illegal, placing the legal status of hundreds…
18 immigration organizations unite in effort to help the undocumented get ready to stay legally
Eighteen national immigration organizations have formed a new coalition to help undocumented immigrants obtain legal services and resources needed to access residency programs that could lead to citizenship. Organizers say Ready to Stay will tap into grassroots communities, including faith-based…
Lady Liberty beckons us to ask hard questions in these days
In the year 1883, Poet Emma Lazarus wrote her sonnet, “The New Colossus,” to raise money for the pedestal on which the Statue of Liberty would stand. The sonnet ends with the poignant, passionate words that were added to the…
She’s pro-life and pro-immigrant and trying to bring other evangelical women along
Conservative, pro-life Christians needn’t fear having to dismantle their biblical values or abandon their concern for secure borders to view and serve immigrants and refugees with compassion, said the leader of a national women’s ministry dedicated to promoting hospitality. “I…
Religious groups oppose Texas governor’s attempt to shut down migrant shelters
Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent order that the state of Texas revoke the licenses of shelters that house migrant children didn’t sit well with the Biden administration, and it didn’t go over well with religious groups, either. The Republican governor’s recent…
As VP Harris heads to Guatemala, evangelical leaders urge U.S. to address root causes of migration
As Vice President Kamala Harris headed to Guatemala this week as part of a campaign to address the root cause of the surge in migration to the United States, she was among recipients of a letter from a group of…