A federal court in Massachusetts has blocked a Trump administration policy that allowed immigration enforcement raids in sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals. The ruling came Feb. 13 in New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, et…
This ‘Minaj’ à trois isn’t going to end well
Editor’s note: This article includes strong sexual language. On June 20, 2018, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, who performs under the stage name “Nicki Minaj,” tweeted: “I came to this country as an illegal immigrant @ 5 years old. I can’t…
Letter to the Editor: Pro-life immigration policies
As a Baptist opposed to abortion, my pro-life position is rooted in seeing every human being created by God as holding immense value to our Creator. When we view humans as image bearers of the divine, we are obligated to treat one…
Mike Johnson needs to read the whole Bible
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s foray into biblical exegesis reveals nothing new but does rehash an old evangelical template of “two kingdom” theology. In Johnson’s view, nations and governments are immune from God’s judgment when they oppress those labeled…
It’s time for Christians to come together on immigration
Several years ago, I was serving as pastor of a church in rural Oklahoma. A group of women felt led to provide a baby shower for a young woman who attended our church. It was a tough situation for the…
From immigration policy to civilian death: How far will this go?
Editor’s note: This piece was written after the death of Renee Good but before the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The death of Renee Nicole Good ignited renewed street tension amid an already chaotic start to 2026. From mass deportations and controversial mis-deportations,…
Now some Republicans are weary of Trump’s immigration plan
Even some Republicans are growing weary of President Donald Trump’s harsh campaign against immigrants, and Catholics are among those losing faith in the president, according to new polling from Navigator Research. The polling data were gathered Jan. 8-12, just after…
‘That isn’t right’
My father told me a story about my Granddaddy this past summer that I’d never heard before. My paternal Grandfather was Baptist, like me. A real Baptist. The one who believed in organizational autonomy and the beauty of the Lottie…
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…
‘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…
We do not know all the names
I need to say this plainly: We do not know all the names. That is part of what has been sitting so heavily with, or maybe even on, me. Over the last 12 months, approximately 32 people have died in…
We spent Christmas visiting my husband in ICE detention
My family loves the holiday season. So much so that we listen to Christmas music year-round. Our yard is usually the most decorated on the street. We attend the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church with our daughter. On Christmas…