George of Sylvania

Tag: ice

  • The Cooperation Package

    The Cooperation Package

    This is an Ohio specific post.

    Yesterday Ohio Republicans in the State House unveiled what is called the, Cooperation Package, a list of bills that would create wider support for ICE and dole out harsher penalties for those helping or who are immigrants, which you can read about here. Rep. Josh Williams, who reps district 44, is the lead co-sponsor of the package. 

    Even if he is not your representative, you can still call and leave a message with his office about how you feel on these bills. Here is his number, I encourage you to call, because these bills go against our baptismal covenant as we continue to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. Here is a script you can use if you have never left a voicemail:

    Hello, my name is [your name here].

    I am calling to voice my opposition to the Cooperation Package, specifically HB 26, 200, 281, and 554 introduced on February 9th. As an Ohioan I ask that you withdraw your support from these bills as they go against any sense of decency. These bills are intentionally cruel and is not what Ohio stands for.

    Thank you for your time.

     [your name, phone number, and zip code]

    His office number is 614-466-1418, and to call and leave a message, it takes about 60 seconds. If you would like to call your reps to let them know how you feel about this bill, you can do so by scrolling to the bottom of this website, putting your address in, and pressing enter.

    Below is a list of the bill numbers and summary provided by Channel 6 of Columbus:

    • House Bill 26: Mandatory Police Cooperation. It would prohibit local governments from enacting “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. The legislation mandates that all law enforcement agencies in Ohio comply with detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It explicitly removes the discretion local departments currently have to prioritize other public safety issues over federal civil immigration violations. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, bypassing the standard 90-day waiting period. Municipalities that fail to comply could face significant reductions in state funding.
    • House Bill 200: State Felony for Presence Modeled after similar efforts in Texas. House Bill 200 would make unauthorized presence in Ohio a state crime. 
      Under the proposal, an individual found to be in the state without legal documentation would be guilty of a fifth-degree felony. This provision would grant local and state police the authority to arrest individuals solely on the basis of their immigration status, a power traditionally reserved for federal agents.
    • House Bill 281: Hospital Access Perhaps the most contentious measure in the package. House Bill 281 Would require hospitals and mental health centers to grant federal immigration agents access to their premises for enforcement operations. Healthcare providers who refuse entry to agents could face penalties, including the revocation of state grants or Medicaid funding. 
      Opponents, including the Ohio Hospital Association, have previously warned that such measures could create a public health risk by discouraging undocumented residents from seeking care during emergencies.
    • House Bill 554: Obstruction of Justice. House Bill 554, expands the definition of obstructing justice under Ohio law. 
      The bill would make it a felony to physically impede or interfere with federal immigration agents during the performance of their duties. This could include actions such as blocking doorways or intervening in an arrest, elevating what might currently be a minor offense to a serious state-level crime.

    Our neighbors are relying on us to stand up and do what is right. I urge you to take a minute your of your day and call.

    Grace and peace.

  • Bitter is the Mouth

    Bitter is the Mouth

    About six months ago, I purchased a bottle of Absinthe because, for some unknown reason, I thought it was a good idea. It had been at least a decade since I had tried it, and it did not go down very well. The wormwood in the drink, if you have never had it, leaves an incredibly bitter taste in your mouth if you don’t mix the properly. The other day, as I sat drinking my morning coffee, I was wondering what mixture of mouthwash/seltzer water/whatever I had that is now leaving this similar taste in my mouth.

    That’ll flavor combination will wake you up.

    As I am sipping this, I have been working my way through the prophet Amos in my morning quiet time. This reading of the prophet has been compounding some outlying frustration. A genocide has been broadcasting in real time, in spite of murdering journalists, in Palestine for those of us paying attention. Children, and people of all ages have been intentionally starved, and the footage of it will leave a mark. Kids, and others, have been murdered while waiting in line for water, food, etc. The intentional cruelty, and war crimes committed is an abomination.

    So reading through Amos, seeing this massacre play out in real time over the past 18 months and all of it taking place in the region the prophet is talking about has brought a new flavor to the text. For about a week, Amos 5:7 (NIV) has had its claws in me, “There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.” I have been meditating on this, and it has like a stick in my craw, but I couldn’t figure out why.

    There is the obvious tug at what Amos is saying on face value, but I decided to check out the Apostolic Polyglot, an interlinear literal Greek-English of the Christian Bible. When I read it, and it made no sense, I looked to the New Oxford Annotated Bible. It is just a fancier version of the New Revised Standard Version, which reads:

    “Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!”

    There it is, the stick in my craw.

    The verse in the New International Version was too nice for me. Bitterness can be a variety of things. I love lemons, and they can be bitter as hell. But you know what, wormwood will make almost anyone gag!

    Every time we read or see what has been happening in Palestine, Sudan, and to the Uyghurs, we should taste wormwood in our mouths.

    Every time we read about those fighting against releasing the Epstein client list, we should taste wormwood in our mouths.

    Every time we see another mass shooting in the news, we should taste wormwood in our mouths.

    Every time we see or hear reports of ICE agents snatching people off of the streets, we should taste wormwood in our mouths.

    Every time we see military personnel being mobilized against citizens, we should taste wormwood in our mouths.

    In fascism, there is no peace. There is no peace without reconciliation. There is no reconciliation without justice. There is no justice in attempting to control others. Control is void of love, and without love, God can be incredibly difficult to find.

    It may seem like nothing, but speaking about what is going on may help wake people up. Going on the record and contacting your representatives is called slow activism for a reason, but it is worth doing. If you have not tried 5 Calls yet, follow the link, and use it for good.

    Everyone has to start somewhere, and I hope the bitter taste in your mouth that the Trump administration has helped bring about in the past eight months spurs you into action.

    Grace and peace.