Her friend was taken by ICE in Tacoma

As more people are detained, packed into detention camps indefinitely and masses of people and resources are mobilized to exploit and violate, we must and not become numb or allow what’s happening to become normal. We must continue to make resistance accessible and the issue small. And that’s exactly what Cassia Burke did in this post and for one family.

Cassia wrote:

“I visited an ICE "processing center" in Tacoma, just days after 500,000 Haitians living in the US lost their temporary protected status. 

I was visiting a friend's cousin, from another nation who lost her protected status earlier this year. The change was so sudden, she didn't have time to apply for visas in other countries for her young family, who entered the US several years ago as part of a program that promised refuge in this country while their home was in turmoil. Returning home is not an option - though DHS has stated conditions have improved, this is simply not true.

She was seized by ICE, separated from her child, and brought thousands of miles away - where none of her family could visit. My sister and I went to bring her flowers on her birthday, pray with her, hug her, let her know she was not alone. 

I was shocked when we walked into the visiting area. She stood in an orange jumpsuit, behind glass, with a single phone to speak with her. High security prison style. 

We forgot about hugs and flowers. I stood and wept while my sister spoke to her in Spanish. Then we all cried as we prayed through the phone. My sister and I collapsed into one another's arms in tears as we left. We left our tears on our cheeks and looked into the eyes of each employee as we walked out. 

Friends, if you believed that only criminals would be deported, this is not what I witnessed. This young mom came to this country because she was invited here by our government. She is not a criminal - but she's being treated as one. 

Today, 500,000 Haitians are scrambling to make plans. Again, for them, returning is not an option. If you know me or have heard from me recently, you know that conditions in Haiti have only gotten worse over the last few years since TPS was extended.  

My heart is uneasy since bearing witness to the injustice in this woman's life, and knowing that she is by far not the only one. This is not meant to be a political statement, but a sharing of what I saw and felt. Now that I've seen, I bear the weight of responsibility for action. Writing this testimony is a first step. There must be more. 

Now that you know, what will you do?  

(Photo is AI generated since nothing was allowed behind the glass - not even the birthday flowers.)”

Friends, remember:

1. Jesus calls us to love the foreigner among us, prioritized the poor and marginalized, and judges us based on words, actions and heart posture toward the most vulnerable — no matter what some politicians, pastors and pundits might tell us.

2. Check out our know your rights seminar and resources here. We may not be able to stop all injustice, but we can refuse to be complicit and participate in every day acts of resistance.

3. Always PACE yourself. We cannot save everyone or change everything but we can posture ourselves toward love and be good neighbors in every situation — by God’s grace.

Let me know what you think! I look forward to the conversation and comments because our screens make us into lonely consumers but God made us to be a vibrant community.

In Christ and for His Glory,

jonathan

PS. Pre-order your copy of “Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair” to be released on November 11, 2025.