Story by Amanda Blake
The United States’ recent immigration crackdown has impacted hundreds of congregations across the Columbia Union Conference. Earlier this year, church administrators and legal advisors met to discuss the realities unfolding in local churches.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that in 2025, close to 3 million undocumented immigrants departed the United States, including “more than 675,000 deportations.” In a similar timeframe, more than 1.6 million immigrants lost their legal status.
Story by the Visitor Staff / Photos by Ruth Anan and Kylie Kajiura
Growing up in a large family, my parents always taught us that, although we were poor economically, we were rich in love. Therefore, God always provided enough for us to feed someone else. So, without fail, we always set out an extra plate at the table, expecting that somebody would knock on our door in need of a meal.