Ohio Leaders convened to talk immigration
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From Anxiety to Action
Good afternoon,

Earlier this week, faith, law enforcement, and business leaders from
around Ohio convened at the Vineyard Church in Westerville, for an event
titled "From Anxiety to Hope, Helping Americans and Immigrants Flourish
Together." Conversations about different anxieties filled the day -
anxieties immigrants carry, anxieties churches face while caring for
asylum seekers, as well as anxieties communities face over race,
polarization, the border and immigration in general. Below are portions
of some of the conversations that took place.

INSERT LINK TO ARTICLE/THING YOU WANT PEOPLE TO CLICK ON HERE
Ohio leaders met to discuss immigration. (Source: Christy Staats)

"Anxiety comes to both the immigrant as well as the community receiving
immigrants." Curtis Chang, the founder of Redeeming Babel
<[link removed]> and adjunct professor at Duke Divinity
School, told the audience as he recounted his own family's immigration
story from Taiwan to the U.S. when he was a child. Chang tied his
immigration story into the larger history of U.S. immigration as he
described how he experienced the fear of losing his home country,
anxiety from his family being kept apart, and the strange looks from his
new classmates who had never had a Chinese student in their midst
before. Throughout his segment, he challenged the many pastors and
Christian leaders in the room on how to lead their communities through
the anxieties they face about immigration and more. 

A long labor conversation led by Brent Orrell, senior fellow at the
American Enterprise Institute <[link removed]> and George W. Bush
administration alumni, considered the future of work - How do we help
Americans and immigrants prepare for the future of work together? What
does the economy in Ohio need now and in the future? The need for
legislative solutions for Dreamers and DACA recipients, fixing the visa
backlog and supporting bills like The Dignity Act for the betterment of
Ohio and the country were also stressed.

Mike Debruhl, a retired Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) chief who now
directs the Sacred Heart Migrant Shelter in El Paso
<[link removed]>
joined the convening to speak about his work and commitment to serving
migrants. While not religious himself, Debruhl said he is continually
reminded by the priest of his parish that God has called him to do the
work he does - caring for migrants at the shelter and educating
Americans about the realities of the border. He is passionate about
treating migrants with dignity. He provided data, history, context and
shared how tragedies in peoples' lives have been used for political
means. One attendee, a Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan, asked
about the tension between his previous job with CBP and current work at
the migrant shelter. Debruhl said he wasn't sure how he ended up where
he is, but he just felt called. The veteran, now working with refugees
at a church in rural Ohio, expressed that he resonated with that.  

The theme of the day was one of hope and synergy as leaders tackled
these subjects, had open discussions, and provided resources and ideas
for attendees to take home to their communities. Future events and
partnerships between churches, NGOs, resettlement organizations, law
enforcement leaders, and businesses have been requested by leaders
around the state as a result of this convening.  As you read this
example of this event in Ohio, we hope you'll continue to connect with
the people in your communities who represent different sectors of
society to learn and grow together as you advocate
<[link removed]> for immigrants.

Stay hopeful and committed,

Christy

**Christy Staats**
BBB Mobilizer for IN, KY, OH, PA
National Immigration Forum 

P.S. As a reminder, the Afghan Adjustment Act
<[link removed]>
was reintroduced in both the House and Senate two weeks ago, and we
encourage you to join us in urging Members of Congress
<[link removed]> to support the bill, which would provide a
pathway to legal residence and citizenship in the U.S. for Afghans who
are currently living in the country in limbo as parolees.

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

****

**NEW YORK TIMES:**Federal judge blocks Biden administration's new
asylum policy
<[link removed]>

**CNN:**Justice Department sues to force Texas to remove floating
barriers in Rio Grande
<[link removed]>

**HOUSTON CHRONICLE:**Exclusive: Texas troopers told to push children
into Rio Grande, deny water to migrants, records say
<[link removed]>

**ROLL CALL:**Congressional effort to help Afghans draws competing bills
<[link removed]>

**ASSOCIATED PRESS:**Canadian government is recruiting high-skilled
foreigners in the US to move to Canada instead
<[link removed]>

 

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