Immigration in the United States has always been a complex reality, and yet, recent incidents and changes – including plain clothed ICE agents grabbing a PhD student with a valid visa off the street; ICE detaining even green card holders; protections being stripped from schools, healthcare facilities, and places of worship; and the administration seemingly defying a court order to stop deportations of Venezuelans without due process – have made recent weeks particularly fraught and tumultuous. In a crisis moment like this, swift action is necessary to protect individuals and safeguard fundamental rights and the rule of law. At the same time, even in the midst of chaos, we must stay engaged in long-term thinking and strategic innovation for sustainable change. Moments of upheaval create an opportunity for bold, creative solutions to reshape our future.

Meet Rev. Dustin Mailman, who is redefining what church looks like with his ministry Deep Time in Asheville, NC. Dustin created Deep Time as a faith community with and for those impacted by incarceration. Whereas many churches have a social ministry, Dustin flips the script, showing us what church as a social ministry can be. Part prison ministry, part coffee roastery, part workforce development effort, part violence prevention initiative, and more, Deep Time models a new vision of faith in action.