The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights said the 42 passengers on a bus Texas sent included at least 13 children — and that passengers had reported not receiving food or water during a 23-hour trip.  

"[I]nstead of demonizing asylum seekers, we focus on working with local communities to support and humanely welcome people," said Daniel Lopez, a spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office. 

Said Daniel Tse, asylum task force coordinator with the Haitian Bridge Alliance, "[W]e and our partners, along with other migrant advocates, acknowledge the practicality and importance of providing transportation to those in need, including the use of buses. Our goal is to ensure that these initiatives are carried out in a more coordinated and compassionate manner, avoiding the dehumanization of individuals for political gain." 

Meanwhile, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, questioned such transport of migrants as the bishops’ spring gathering got under way, Peter Smith of the Associated Press reports. He also called for compassion for migrants and effective border management.  

"We cannot fail to see the face of Christ in all of those who need our assistance, especially the poor and the vulnerable," Broglio said. 

Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s strategic communications VP, and the great Forum Daily team today also includes Clara Villatoro, Karime Puga, Ashling Lee, Keylla Ortega, Christian Blair and Katie Lutz. Special thanks to Keylla and to Samuel Benson for their help these past couple of months! If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected]. 

BITTERSWEET — The 11-year anniversary of the announcement of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was a "bittersweet celebration" as the program’s future faces uncertainty, report Armando Garcia and Quinn Owen of ABC News. And April Santana of the Arizona Republic writes about changes in the Grand Canyon State — many of them positive — since DACA’s launch.  

#AFGHANEVAC — The #AfghanEvac coalition’s partnership with the State Department has been extended through the end of next year, Rebecca Kheel of Military.com reports. The coalition, led by military veterans, is continuing the work of relocating our Afghan allies. 

In local welcome this week: 

MARITIME TRAGEDY — Advocates in several Greek cities protested yesterday after a fishing boat carrying between 400 and 750 migrants sank Wednesday, reports Eleni Stamatoukou of Balkan Insight. "I think it is time for Europe to be able, in solidarity, to define an effective immigration policy so that such an accident does not happen again," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. 

‘ART OVERCOMES’ – Boston-based nonprofit The Silkroad will host an "Art Overcomes" benefit event tomorrow to support refugee artists, report Diego Lopez and Judie Yuill of GBH News. "We're really hoping that this event serves as not just a fundraiser, but as a celebration, a platform, and a call to action. It's an opportunity for us to celebrate the incredible talent and resilience of these artists," said event organizer Adam Gurczak. 

Thanks for reading, 

Dan 

P.S. The Forum recently partnered with ISS as part of our English at Work program. English proficiency opens doors for career growth and increases naturalization rates among immigrant populations. Journalists and others, let us know if you’d like to learn more.