MWR : Articles : Washington Witness by Alexander

Last updated April 13.

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Articles : Washington Witness by Alexander

When the law shatters families

“Josefina’s baby was just 9 months old and Clara’s children were 1 and 6 when they were placed in foster homes with strangers … For the four months that [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] detained them, Josefina and Clara had no idea where their children were … Josefina was very quiet as she talked by phone from Mexico a year after she was deported: ‘I don’t know where my child is; I have no contact with my baby.’ ”

This story describes two sisters who were taken into immigration custody after neighbors reported they had drugs in their house (none were found). It is from a report by the Applied Research Center, “Shattered Families: The Perilous Intersection of Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System.”

Welcome Jesus, the stranger

Jesus was pretty clear: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Blessed are those who give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, care to the sick. And blessed are those who welcome the stranger because, in doing so, they welcome Jesus himself (Matt. 25:34-36).

The truth doesn’t poll well

“People don’t change their minds based on facts,” said a colleague of mine regarding the immigration debate.

Debate that didn’t happen

By the time this article goes to print, health care reform may have already passed. But it is just as likely to be stuck somewhere in Congress.

Healing the health system

Healing played an important role in Jesus’ ministry. Many of the miracles Jesus performed involved healing the sick and lame — the paralytic brought through the roof, the Roman centurion’s servant, the widow’s only son, the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak.

Hard times, hard choices

My brother-in-law is a terrific guy. He is just the kind of person you would want to marry your only sister — smart, kind, generous, funny.

Don’t blame the immigrants

The Center for Immigration Studies released a report last month that claimed immigration to the United States is a significant contributor to global warming. When people move to the United States from lower- emitting countries, the report contends, their greenhouse gas emissions multiply.