Thank you for keeping us informed on what’s going on on the immigration front. I want to congratulate you on making Trump Santa’s Naughty List! Merry Christmas!
I was so very tickled by the results of the Miami Mayor's race. It 'should' have been a complete cake-walk for the New Fascists, since Trump had *all* the Latinos sewn up. Lead by the Cubanos for generations!
But nope, somebody got pissed off and re-thought their life choices. I was born in Tampa (sorry, somebody has to do it) and I learned at an early age that fucking with Familia is absolutely the *most* favorite thing not to do down there.
I live in Central Minnesota - a very red area. One of our local immigrant rights groups, Fe y Justicia, has offered know your rights trainings and organized rapid response teams. Just today, several folks attended the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at a local church and monitored any potential ICE action. No problems today, but we're ready!
Down here in Wilmington, NC we recently hosted two trainings for people interested in being ICE Watch Verifiers. Over 2 days in two different churches, we trained 300 people. We are also working to inform local businesses/organizations about their rights and how to protect their staff and patrons from federal raids.
Every election now says "I didn't vote for this." Hispanics in FLA tend towards the R party- refugees from Castro. Understandable. However, even they are appalled and personally disgusted by "ICE". I don't like to see them being hurt, but their righteous anger will help turn the tide, as elections keep proving.
There are a lot of Venezuelans in Florida too. I know a family who moved from Chicago to Miami because of family members from Venezuela being there. I am glad the tide is turning. Before people voted against Democrats as if being Democrat meant you backed Fidel. I am glad they have moved beyond seeing Democrats as just socialists, and misunderstanding that to mean fascists.
As we assess cruelty from the Christian Right - feel free to use, edit and/or rebrand the attached 3 min survey so that people can assess their religious and political leaders vs Jesus's view of how we should treat oneanother. Im not a Christian - but accept many of these precepts. Here is the survey: I thought you might be interested. You can include or exclude my name or steal the idea and make it yours - Here is the assessment:
3 Minute Real Christian Rating Scale
Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruits” Matthew 7:16-20
Take 3 minutes and rate your favorite government or religious leader on the following:
From your perspective only (no one knows the heart of another) do their actions suggest the person is a “real” Christian? Feel free to take the assessment on yourself as well.
Jesus warned against false prophets, emphasizing that a person's actions and the outcome of their life (their "fruit") reveal their true character, just as a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. Following is what Jesus said about what good fruit looks like related to how Christians should treat other people.
Name of person being rated: ___________________________________________ (optional)
Name of person doing the rating: ______________________________________ (optional)
RATE THE PERSONS OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR IN THE FOLLOWING 5 MAJOR AREAS
1) Love is the governing ethic in all human relationships
Jesus makes love—not rule-keeping or social status—the primary measure of faithful living. Love is active, outward-facing, and inclusive.
• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
• “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” (Matthew 7:12)
• “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)
Implication: Christians are to treat others with the same care, dignity, and concern they desire for themselves, regardless of difference or inconvenience.
Overall Rating of #1:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
2) Mercy and forgiveness are mandatory, not optional
Jesus is explicit that followers must extend forgiveness and mercy, even when wronged.
• “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
• “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
• “If you do not forgive others… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14–15)
Implication: Retaliation, grudges, and moral score-keeping are incompatible with Jesus’ teaching. Christians are expected to prioritize reconciliation over vindication.
Overall Rating of #2:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
3) Integrity, humility, and justice matter more than appearances
Jesus repeatedly condemns religious behavior that looks righteous but lacks compassion, honesty, and justice toward others.
• “The weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23)
• “First be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23–24)
• “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.” (Luke 14:11)
Implication: Christians should treat others fairly, humbly, and sincerely—especially in conflict—placing human well-being above image, ritual, or self-justification.
Overall Rating of #3:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
4) Special care is owed to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized
Jesus consistently centers those with the least power and warns against indifference or exploitation by the comfortable.
• “Blessed are you who are poor… Woe to you who are rich.” (Luke 6:20, 24)
• “You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
• “Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Implication: Christians are called to practical compassion—sharing resources, resisting exploitation, and standing with those who are economically or socially vulnerable.
Overall Rating of #4:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
5) Love must be expressed through action, not sentiment
Jesus links love for others directly to obedience and behavior, not intentions alone.
• “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom… but the one who does the will of my Father.” (Matthew 7:21)
Implication: Treating others well is not abstract or symbolic; it is demonstrated through concrete acts of mercy, fairness, forgiveness, and generosity.
Overall Rating of #5:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
Summary Statement
According to Jesus, Christians are to treat one another—and all people—with active love, radical forgiveness, humility, justice, and material compassion, especially toward the poor and marginalized. These are not secondary virtues but defining marks of faithful discipleship and the primary evidence of allegiance to his teaching.
Agree this is the time to give farm workers and meat processors and hotel personnel working visas so we don’t rely on an underground workforce that can get paid slave level wages due to fear of deportation. Make our economy of wealth work for everyone!
Thrilled your influence has expanded with the Bulwark since you provide critical information we need. Inspiring and encouraging that so many Latinos are running for office. Desperately needed and very courageous. Many thanks for all you do.
Something I haven't seen mentioned yet, in terms of immigration policy advocated by pro-immigration candidates and/or groups, is redirecting DHS/ICE/CBE funds. Instead of spending hundreds of billions of dollars hiring new agents to monitor our borders and send out to round up so called "criminal immigrants," the money should be used to hire more immigration judges and attorneys and support staff.
Advocating an approach like this would, if nothing else, defuse one of the main Republican complaints about illegal immigrants in the US; that there is a huge pool of people who have not gone through any sort of official immigration proceedings and who are often at large awaiting judgements. If there were an increase in the number of judges and attorneys, the backlog of cases could start to decrease. Not only that, for people who are waiting for the legal process to to play itself out, there would be information about who the US would welcome into the country and who they would want to deny entry.
Clearly, it will take time to find candidates who are appropriate for new judicial appointments in immigration courts. One source would be attorneys who have handled the case loads for immigrants trying to stay in the US. Those attorneys would have to be replaced, but if it becomes clear that a new administration was serious about dealing the case load backlog I suspect there would be an increase in the number of law school students who want to concentrate on immigration law.
"Defund the police" turned out to be a toxic slogan. "Defund ICE and Fund Immigration Courts" may, in fact, turn out to be a slogan many people will endorse and support.
That was in the immigration bill that the Republicans scuttled. They wanted to run with mass deportation. So they can not be trusted to do anything reasonable. The message is "do it legally" but then make that virtually impossible.
Congratulations to Adrian for making it on the administration's media enemies list (in a weird AI slop video the White House released). Your reporting is clearly bothering them. That's a badge of honor. Thank you for all your work in shining a spotlight on the Trump admin's horrific deportation regime.
Thank you for keeping us informed on what’s going on on the immigration front. I want to congratulate you on making Trump Santa’s Naughty List! Merry Christmas!
This Amp Goes to Eleven
My repugnance is hard to contain,
For the garbage that spews from the brain,
Of this parasite slug,
Repulsive Man-Bug,
In the White House beyond inhumane.
I was so very tickled by the results of the Miami Mayor's race. It 'should' have been a complete cake-walk for the New Fascists, since Trump had *all* the Latinos sewn up. Lead by the Cubanos for generations!
But nope, somebody got pissed off and re-thought their life choices. I was born in Tampa (sorry, somebody has to do it) and I learned at an early age that fucking with Familia is absolutely the *most* favorite thing not to do down there.
Great news about you Adrian!
I live in Central Minnesota - a very red area. One of our local immigrant rights groups, Fe y Justicia, has offered know your rights trainings and organized rapid response teams. Just today, several folks attended the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at a local church and monitored any potential ICE action. No problems today, but we're ready!
Down here in Wilmington, NC we recently hosted two trainings for people interested in being ICE Watch Verifiers. Over 2 days in two different churches, we trained 300 people. We are also working to inform local businesses/organizations about their rights and how to protect their staff and patrons from federal raids.
Every election now says "I didn't vote for this." Hispanics in FLA tend towards the R party- refugees from Castro. Understandable. However, even they are appalled and personally disgusted by "ICE". I don't like to see them being hurt, but their righteous anger will help turn the tide, as elections keep proving.
There are a lot of Venezuelans in Florida too. I know a family who moved from Chicago to Miami because of family members from Venezuela being there. I am glad the tide is turning. Before people voted against Democrats as if being Democrat meant you backed Fidel. I am glad they have moved beyond seeing Democrats as just socialists, and misunderstanding that to mean fascists.
As we assess cruelty from the Christian Right - feel free to use, edit and/or rebrand the attached 3 min survey so that people can assess their religious and political leaders vs Jesus's view of how we should treat oneanother. Im not a Christian - but accept many of these precepts. Here is the survey: I thought you might be interested. You can include or exclude my name or steal the idea and make it yours - Here is the assessment:
3 Minute Real Christian Rating Scale
Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruits” Matthew 7:16-20
Take 3 minutes and rate your favorite government or religious leader on the following:
From your perspective only (no one knows the heart of another) do their actions suggest the person is a “real” Christian? Feel free to take the assessment on yourself as well.
Jesus warned against false prophets, emphasizing that a person's actions and the outcome of their life (their "fruit") reveal their true character, just as a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. Following is what Jesus said about what good fruit looks like related to how Christians should treat other people.
Name of person being rated: ___________________________________________ (optional)
Name of person doing the rating: ______________________________________ (optional)
RATE THE PERSONS OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR IN THE FOLLOWING 5 MAJOR AREAS
1) Love is the governing ethic in all human relationships
Jesus makes love—not rule-keeping or social status—the primary measure of faithful living. Love is active, outward-facing, and inclusive.
• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
• “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” (Matthew 7:12)
• “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)
Implication: Christians are to treat others with the same care, dignity, and concern they desire for themselves, regardless of difference or inconvenience.
Overall Rating of #1:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
2) Mercy and forgiveness are mandatory, not optional
Jesus is explicit that followers must extend forgiveness and mercy, even when wronged.
• “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
• “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
• “If you do not forgive others… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14–15)
Implication: Retaliation, grudges, and moral score-keeping are incompatible with Jesus’ teaching. Christians are expected to prioritize reconciliation over vindication.
Overall Rating of #2:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
3) Integrity, humility, and justice matter more than appearances
Jesus repeatedly condemns religious behavior that looks righteous but lacks compassion, honesty, and justice toward others.
• “The weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23)
• “First be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23–24)
• “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.” (Luke 14:11)
Implication: Christians should treat others fairly, humbly, and sincerely—especially in conflict—placing human well-being above image, ritual, or self-justification.
Overall Rating of #3:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
4) Special care is owed to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized
Jesus consistently centers those with the least power and warns against indifference or exploitation by the comfortable.
• “Blessed are you who are poor… Woe to you who are rich.” (Luke 6:20, 24)
• “You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
• “Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Implication: Christians are called to practical compassion—sharing resources, resisting exploitation, and standing with those who are economically or socially vulnerable.
Overall Rating of #4:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
5) Love must be expressed through action, not sentiment
Jesus links love for others directly to obedience and behavior, not intentions alone.
• “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom… but the one who does the will of my Father.” (Matthew 7:21)
Implication: Treating others well is not abstract or symbolic; it is demonstrated through concrete acts of mercy, fairness, forgiveness, and generosity.
Overall Rating of #5:
On the 1 to 5 scale below (1 being “seldom if ever demonstrates this behavior” and 5 being “consistently demonstrates this behavior”) how do you rate the government or religious leader in this area?
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
________________________________________
Summary Statement
According to Jesus, Christians are to treat one another—and all people—with active love, radical forgiveness, humility, justice, and material compassion, especially toward the poor and marginalized. These are not secondary virtues but defining marks of faithful discipleship and the primary evidence of allegiance to his teaching.
________________________________________
Total the Score:
Add up all the scores above here: __________
What does this mean?
You decide.
https://www.ksl.com/article/51297709/theyre-staying-here-millcreek-immigrants-wont-abide-by-us-government-pressure-to-leave
Agree this is the time to give farm workers and meat processors and hotel personnel working visas so we don’t rely on an underground workforce that can get paid slave level wages due to fear of deportation. Make our economy of wealth work for everyone!
Thrilled your influence has expanded with the Bulwark since you provide critical information we need. Inspiring and encouraging that so many Latinos are running for office. Desperately needed and very courageous. Many thanks for all you do.
Something I haven't seen mentioned yet, in terms of immigration policy advocated by pro-immigration candidates and/or groups, is redirecting DHS/ICE/CBE funds. Instead of spending hundreds of billions of dollars hiring new agents to monitor our borders and send out to round up so called "criminal immigrants," the money should be used to hire more immigration judges and attorneys and support staff.
Advocating an approach like this would, if nothing else, defuse one of the main Republican complaints about illegal immigrants in the US; that there is a huge pool of people who have not gone through any sort of official immigration proceedings and who are often at large awaiting judgements. If there were an increase in the number of judges and attorneys, the backlog of cases could start to decrease. Not only that, for people who are waiting for the legal process to to play itself out, there would be information about who the US would welcome into the country and who they would want to deny entry.
Clearly, it will take time to find candidates who are appropriate for new judicial appointments in immigration courts. One source would be attorneys who have handled the case loads for immigrants trying to stay in the US. Those attorneys would have to be replaced, but if it becomes clear that a new administration was serious about dealing the case load backlog I suspect there would be an increase in the number of law school students who want to concentrate on immigration law.
"Defund the police" turned out to be a toxic slogan. "Defund ICE and Fund Immigration Courts" may, in fact, turn out to be a slogan many people will endorse and support.
That was in the immigration bill that the Republicans scuttled. They wanted to run with mass deportation. So they can not be trusted to do anything reasonable. The message is "do it legally" but then make that virtually impossible.
Congratulations to Adrian for making it on the administration's media enemies list (in a weird AI slop video the White House released). Your reporting is clearly bothering them. That's a badge of honor. Thank you for all your work in shining a spotlight on the Trump admin's horrific deportation regime.
Congratulations! You are an outstanding journalist and I am so happy for you.
from minneapolis
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/minneapolis-restaurant-hola-arepa-resists-attempted-ice-raid
From Chicago:
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/10/operation-midway-bliss-brings-holiday-cheer-to-families-affected-by-ice-raids/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/02/immigrants-return-to-little-village-english-language-class-after-federal-blitz-kept-them-away/