Review: A Podcast Exploring the History of Immigrant Sanctuaries (opinion)
Historians Sergio González and Lloyd Barba, of Marquette University and Amherst College, respectively, explore that movement's history in the podcast Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State. "What we find in the sanctuary movement is one of the most dramatic and successful challenges to state power perhaps in the history of the United States," González says in the first episode.
As the U.S. government refused to protect Central American asylum seekers in the 1980s, houses of worship took up the task. The work of sheltering undocumented immigrants, while informed by genuine religious beliefs, violated federal law. Some sanctuary activists paid the price: Operation Sojourner, under which government agents embedded themselves in church meetings, led to the prosecution of nuns, priests, and other volunteers. The movement didn't die; it evolved to meet different challenges over the next several decades.
In an increasingly secular nation, the podcast asks, what is the role of sanctuary? The proliferation of "sanctuary cities" and "sanctuary states"—and the development of nonimmigration applications, such as "Second Amendment sanctuaries"—proves that sanctuary, and the challenge to state power it represents, remains an important practice, especially as the second Trump administration brings a renewed threat to undocumented immigrants.
The post Review: A Podcast Exploring the History of Immigrant Sanctuaries appeared first on Reason.com.
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The Hill
6 hours ago
- The Hill
‘South Park' vs. Trump: And the little children shall lead them
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This episode begins at South Park Elementary School, where the principal had previously embraced diversity, equity and inclusion — which he describes more simply as 'kindness.' Since the November election, he, like so many, has cravenly flipped. At a student assembly, the principal now embraces compelling students to accept Jesus as their personal lord and savior —to the point where Jesus himself comes down from Heaven to make his pitch, even in the lunchroom. At first one parent objects. 'What's Jesus doing in your school?' Randy Marsh asks the principal. Another character asks, 'What the hell is this president doing? He doesn't even act like a Christian.' Without what Trump calls 'wokeness,' student Eric Cartman, a reformed bigot and antisemite, says, 'Everyone hates the Jews. Everyone is fine with using gay slurs. It's terrible. Because,' he says, near tears, 'I don't know what I'm supposed to do.' 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'South Park' gets it right in that too many Christians can be pushy, controlling and intolerant. 'South Park's' Jesus portrayal might be more credible if he befriended more of his critics, was less PR-anxious, and expressed confidence in divine ability to bring good from difficult situations.' The cartoon Trump, meanwhile, is literally in bed with Satan, his longtime boyfriend. The devil is so upset with him that he refuses the president sex, saying Trump is beginning to remind him of his previous boyfriend, Saddam Hussein. Satan is also disturbed to learn that Trump has appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files. When the town of South Park is sued by Trump for $5 billion for opposing the president, they settle for $3.5 million, but with the added requirement of producing 50 public service announcements extolling the president's virtues. The first one … well, let's just say it doesn't help his cause. There may be an actual political dimension to the episode. The show's key demographic is young males, precisely the cohort that has been drifting toward Trump. If they are persuaded by the episode that Trump is a tyrannical buffoon and a fair target for ridicule, that may affect their next trip to the polls. Mark I. Pinsky is the author of 'The Gospel According to The Simpsons' and has written extensively about the intersection of religion, popular culture and politics.
E&E News
a day ago
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Interior increases targets for layoffs
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UPI
a day ago
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Leaders urge rethink of Latin America's global role
Leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean gathered to discuss the region's global role. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 25 (UPI) -- The Latin American and Caribbean Presidential Mission convened a strategic forum Wednesday, July 23, in San José, Costa Rica, to discuss the role Latin America could play in the evolving global landscape. Amid weakening multilateralism, the rise of emerging powers and the fragmentation of traditional global structures, the central question was clear: Is Latin America ready to take on global leadership -- or will it remain on the sidelines of major decision-making? Former Costa Rican presidents Laura Chinchilla, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Rafael Ángel Calderón and Luis Guillermo Solís joined former Bolivian President Carlos Mesa and former Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo in calling for an end to regional fragmentation and urging Latin America to seize the opportunities of a new multipolar world. "This is not just about adapting -- it's about influencing. Latin America can and must be a relevant player in the new global landscape," Cerezo said. He added that only through deep and strategic integration can the region play a meaningful role in reshaping the international order. The forum highlighted Latin America's key strategic assets -- biodiversity, clean energy, a young population, democratic traditions and abundant natural resources. But it also emphasized that those resources are being underused due to a lack of regional coordination, the rise of populism and the erosion of democratic consensus. "At this moment, Latin America and Europe are absent as global actors," said Josette Altman, a Costa Rican academic and political analyst, noting that regional integration is at a historic low. Laura Chinchilla warned that the world is undergoing not a temporary disruption but a structural shift, marked by ruptures in traditional alliances, a crisis in multilateralism and rising political polarization. She said Latin America should not only defend democracy and solidarity but also push for reforms to make the international system more effective and representative. Miguel Ángel Rodríguez said the world is experiencing a "change of era," with deep shifts in values, leadership and the exercise of power. He urged Latin America to align itself with Europe to defend the rule of law and liberal democracy. From a Central American perspective, Olinda Salguero, executive vice president of the Latin American Presidential Mission, emphasized that Latin America is a strategic region. In 2023, it attracted 49% of foreign direct investment from emerging economies, surpassing Asia. However, she warned that in key fields such as artificial intelligence, the region accounts for just 0.6% of academic publications. "We can't afford to fall behind in the knowledge society. Latin America must move from words to action," she said. Carlos Mesa reiterated the urgent need to build genuine mechanisms for integration -- not ideologically, but strategically. That message was echoed by Rafael Calderón, who recalled that Latin American unity was made possible when the region embraced democracy. "Just as we overcame dictatorships, we can also consolidate democracy if we remain persistent," he said. From Paraguay, former Vice President Luis Alberto Castiglioni said Latin America offers the world stability, peace, food, clean energy and democratic principles -- assets that should strengthen ties with partners such as the European Union. He pointed to the Mercosur-EU trade talks and the strategic relationship with Taiwan on technological development, advocating for a model of cooperation free from political conditions. Luis Guillermo Solís said a key issue in the integration debate is the slow growth of many regional economies. He added that expanding access to the world's most dynamic markets is essential to building a form of integration that meets the region's needs.
