Last week, the Supreme Court ruled to allow Trump to strip temporary protected status (TPS) from hundreds of thousands of immigrants and refugees. These humanitarian parole protections allowed for migrants from Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba to remain in the US after fleeing threats of violence and persecution in their home countries. Although this is not a final ruling, it means that the protections are not in place while the court case proceeds, leaving 532,000 immigrants and refugees vulnerable to deportation and/or detention. One of the most frustrating parts? Migrants who arrived in this country under TPS did everything the “right way” by going through an extensive vetting process and receiving work permits upon entering the US. They are not “gang members” and “violent criminals.” They are our neighbors and friends.
In the midst of such turmoil, I’ve been grateful for the work of We Choose Welcome, “a grassroots community seeking to mobilize and equip women of faith to build and cultivate a welcome movement from their tables at home to the halls of Congress.” Their resources, guides, and careful analysis of current events and court rulings are insightful and helpful, and I have participated in their calls to action on many occasions.
This month, in preparation for World Refugee Day on June 20th, We Choose Welcome is inviting us to walk in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee neighbors.
We walk to remember that the journey to safety is often made on foot.
We walk to educate ourselves and our communities.
We walk to raise awareness.
We walk because love doesn’t stand still.
I’ve committed to walking 125 miles in June, knowing that my “steps are not just symbolic, they are a reminder that although we walk by choice, many walk to survive.” I’ve walked 17.5 miles so far, and have tried to be intentional with both my steps and my time. When you sign up, We Choose Welcome shares several recommendations including podcasts, books, and even a curated playlist. I have Forced to Flee and Resettled in my queue, and I’m grateful for this quiet, intentional time to learn and pray and move in rhythm with my refugee neighbors.
Want to join me?
You can sign up here.
You can follow We Choose Welcome and learn more here.
You can help spread the word by posting about it online and using the hashtag #walkinsolidarity2025.
Not a walker? You can donate to your local refugee resettlement program or to one of these vetted organizations:
I hope you participate! And if you do, I hope you’ll stick around for a live Zoom conversation next week (for paid subscribers only). We have a lot to talk about.
God walks “slowly” because he is love. If he is not love he would have gone much faster. Love has its speed… It is the speed we walk and therefore it is the speed the love of God walks. Kosuke Koyama
Thanks for reading. And happy walking! xoxo - Nicole
I’m a proud member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, a roundup of world-class journalists who call Iowa home. I invite you to check out the group and become a paying member of one or more of our pages.
Horrifying to think what this could mean to so many of our neighbors. But your walk is an inspiration!
I also did a podcast about this issue and how it can impact immigrants in Iowa--https://attheiowafarmtable.substack.com/p/immigrants-and-the-food-chain
One interesting fact: HALF of all meat processing jobs in the state of Iowa are held by immigrants, many of whom had TPS. So this issue will impact all of us (and your grocery bills).
I've never heard of this organization. Thank you for sharing this, Nicole!