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Thursday, January 30, 2025

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Both black boxes recovered in aftermath of deadly DC midair collision; Advocates call on AL lawmakers for prison reform; Path to Medicaid expansion in MS remains uncertain; Trump nominee Gabbard faces tough questions from Republicans; US elected officials file a legal motion opposing end to birthright citizenship.

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President Trump's latest executive actions on aviation safety, education and birthright citizenship spark debates. Critics say they threaten civil rights, while supporters say they support competency.

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As bird flu spreads, egg prices continue to soar, wildfires aren't stopping Americans from moving to wildfire-prone states, and post-pandemic infrastructure isn't just roads and bridges but also education, healthcare and economic opportunity.

MN parishes warn of 'chilling effect' of potential ICE raids in churches

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025   

The mass deportation plan promised by President Donald Trump shows no signs of slowing down after his first week back in office.

Church leaders in Minnesota and elsewhere renewed their calls for places of worship to be off limits. A key difference between ICE raids under the new administration and those in Trump's first term is that a rule was revoked this month to no longer consider churches and schools "sensitive locations." From 2011 until now, they were largely shielded from agents entering the site in pursuit of an undocumented person.

Nicholas Tangen, assistant to the bishop for the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which supports local Lutheran parishes, worries about the potential effect on congregations.

"It may have a really chilling effect for folks in our communities, not just Christians, but folks of all faith backgrounds," Tangen explained. "(It) might prevent folks from attending religious services or going to places of worship; places where they've found comfort and safety and community for so long."

Tangen echoed arguments about the trauma families might experience when a relative is detained in these settings. For now, his team is trying to limit false rumors while reminding congregants about their rights. ICE agents still need a judicial warrant before entering a private area of a church. The Department of Homeland Security emphasized enforcement teams are being trusted to use common sense.

Lutheran church leaders said they remain committed to supporting migrant children and families, adding it's a long-standing Christian mindset to "welcome the stranger." Tangen added human dignity should not be lost in the broader debate over immigration policy.

"I don't think anybody should have to live in such profound fear that there are no places where they can find respite," Tangen emphasized.

Immigrant advocates also worry the scope of these deportations will deter people from getting medical care they need or kids from attending school. In a statement announcing the rule changes, DHS officials noted they are empowering agents to enforce immigration laws and "catch criminal aliens - including murderers and rapists - who have illegally come into our country."


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