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.


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 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 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 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 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 was reintroduced in both the House and Senate two weeks ago, and we encourage you to join us in urging Members of Congress 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

CNN: Justice Department sues to force Texas to remove floating barriers in Rio Grande

HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Exclusive: Texas troopers told to push children into Rio Grande, deny water to migrants, records say

ROLL CALL: Congressional effort to help Afghans draws competing bills

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Canadian government is recruiting high-skilled foreigners in the US to move to Canada instead