Calling. Palm Sunday

Most of you know that I am an immigration lawyer. It's something that I chose as a faith calling several decades ago after some years as a business attorney in NYC and a few years as a minister in NYC following a divinity degree from seminary. I'm fully immersed in what's happening in the immigration world on a daily basis.

That being said I have trouble keeping up with what's going on today and try to work hard to keep abreast. What I'm seeing today in US immigration is unlike anything we've experienced in the time I've been doing this. There is a tsunami of changes in immigration law and policy, almost all of it thoroughly anti-immigrant without regard for human rights and human decency.

I realize that it's a very complicated subject area and I try to approach it as a person of faith looking at the right and wrong of public policy. Lest you think this is just politics I've certainly been critical of previous administrations as well.

I've typically stayed away from much in the way of political posts on social media but I feel like there is so much disinformation and misinformation about this subject area, much of it coming from the administration itself, that it's important to try to get some understanding out there.

So, I apologize if you don't want to see this kind of content. Feel free to unfollow me but I hope we will remain friends. It is a matter of faith for me as I still try to follow Jesus but I also maintain common cause with those who look at this not from a faith perspective, but as a matter of basic human decency as well. Feel free to disagree but I will try to bring factual and moral elements into discussions of immigration policy.

By the way, I noticed today on FB a picture of me taken in 2013 (Obama presidency) demonstrating for immigration reform in Washington, DC. (I've been to DC several times to meet with congressional offices and lobby for immigration reform). I found a group of New Yorkers and got one of their signs (which I still have) even though I left NYC in 1992. Here you go.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, when we celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem with a crowd cheering him on, but we also know that a week later, he will be crucified by the Roman government as a criminal.

Here’s my take. Christ is taking the path on Palm Sunday that will lead to his torture and murder, knowing full well what is going to happen. Christ is also today walking the path with those sent by our government to be tortured and likely die in a Salvadoran prison, accused as criminals, but not receiving the due process guaranteed by our Constitution. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.