Immigration
Our Flourish Collective community has been wrestling with how to meaningfully show up for our immigrant family members and neighbors. Through Meet-Up and What’s App conversations; a 6-week Faith & Justice book cohort; and conversations with experts like Abara's Angelica Acosta Garnett, we've been learning, talking, and taking action. This month, we're sharing talking points we’re using in conversation; one member's story of getting involved; and how you can engage, too.
Immigration Facts
For those of you who have been unable to attend a Flourish event, the Brennan Center for Justice offers a helpful overview in its article, An Insider’s View of the Immigration System.
For those of you looking for a few quick facts to inform conversations you’re having, here are two talking points community members have found useful this month:
Did you know?
Immigration has a net positive impact on the American economy, expanding the labor force and increasing consumer spending? And immigrants (including unauthorized immigrants) pay more in taxes than they use in government benefits and spending? - Alma lays out these economic stats in a succinct fashion & Migration Policy Institute puts them in a more traditional article
Over 73% of current ICE and border patrol detainees have no criminal record? And that many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, including traffic violations? - Data collected by TRAC (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse reports are detailed, data-driven reports produced by a nonpartisan Syracuse University research center to increase government transparency)
How one member of our community is learning and getting involved: Kim Ray’s story
For many Flourish members, their faith compels them to seek justice for those in their communities. The Flourish Collective’s Faith & Justice branch explores the intersection of faith and justice through programs, conversation, advocacy, and action.
Kim Ray joined the Winter 2026 Faith & Justice book cohort which read Welcoming the Stranger, which offers a Christian response to immigration. Here’s what Kim had to say:
1. What prompted you to join the Welcoming the Stranger cohort?
Kim’s reply: I was prompted to join the Welcoming the Stranger cohort to expand my knowledge of the current immigration situation in our country. Immigration is such a hot topic in the news and I felt like I did not know what is truly going on. I was drawn to the idea of, “how should we as Christians respond in this current environment?” I knew of the Flourish Collective through Laura Taggart (Flourish’s Faith & Justice lead) who I trust.
2. Is there a key fact or learning from the cohort that has stuck with you?
Kim’s reply: A few key points have stuck with me. The desperate need to revamp the immigration laws and procedures in our country, How many cases are pretermitted by a judge. How much immigrants without legal status contribute to social security. In our country’s history, [Protestants] were against allowing Catholics to immigrate because of fear.
3. Is there an action or talking point you're taking from the cohort into your community this spring?
Kim’s reply: The two action steps I am taking are as follows: I have scheduled a meeting with the Missions Director of our church to ask how our church is working with other organizations to help immigrants in our area. Secondly, I have connected with Jill Vellinger (fellow Flourish member) to shadow her one day at the Concord Immigration Court to observe the process. I want to explore the possibility of volunteering as a court observer.
How you can get involved
Many of our members are already speaking up, giving, and acting in support of immigrants in their communities, by serving as immigration court observers, passing out red cards, calling Congressional representatives, and more.
If you’d like to get started acting in your own community, we want to offer two resources:
Community Mapping:
A good starting place to connect with the immigrant community near you is through community mapping. As you go about your day, consider what’s in your neighborhood - and the ones near you: What are immigrant-owned restaurants in your town? Coffeeshops? Supermarkets? Can you commit to visiting them once a month? What agencies and non-profits serve immigrants in your area? Can you visit them - or add yourself to their email list? This will start to give you a sense for the needs in your community. Then, consider, can you volunteer or donate to these organizations?
Flourish Resources to Get Connected:
We’ve created a 3-page document with ways to get involved in your own community as well as advocate on a national level. You can read our Immigration Support document here.
