Please see the timely announcement at the end of this email.
The World Cup is arguably the most viewed sporting event on the planet (1.5 billion people watched the final match in 2022), it’s no wonder given the spate of recent U.S. immigration actions that there’s intense speculation about the next edition scheduled for the summer of 2026 in North America. Is it possible that FIFA, the sport’s governing body, will shift the matches currently scheduled for U.S. venues to co-host countries, Canada and Mexico?
The online claims, while vehement, seem so far to be baseless. But it makes you wonder.
Out of the gate, the Trump administration froze the U.S. refugee program, thawing it slightly to allow in 59 refugees from South Africa.
Temporary Protected Status has been terminated for Afghans in the U.S. among many others groups.
Foreign student visa applications for study in the U.S. are currently halted while the State Department considers how to vet social media accounts of applicants.
And two days ago a new travel ban went into effect forbidding travel to the U.S. from seven Muslim majority nations. (12 countries are banned and another seven face restrictions.)
For Christians this poses questions in two areas:
What are the mission and ministry implications of these actions? For starters, is this the way an ostensibly Christian country behaves? More specifically what do these policies mean for outreach to international students? For morally appropriate care for the most legit of refugees?
And what about my bud Ken? Somehow the country of Chad made the travel ban list. A country to whose citizens the U.S. issued less than 1500 travel visas last year, now gets none! Why? Because 750 of those visa recipients overstayed their welcome. Is this a national security threat?
Chad responded to the ban by saying, “Back atcha!” So now Ken, who has had amazing ministry, partnering with Chadian believers to engage previously unengaged peoples, may not be able to return.
The second question might not be limited to Christians: What’s the end game here? Will the U.S. ever be finally secure? Will the bans and deportations and immigration limits stop at some point? Will they stop before they reach your friends? Your extended family? You?
God have mercy on us. And, God, please continue to extend mercy through us.
Honest Request:
Muslim Connect has always been free and will alway be so. That said, a couple of times a year, I invite readers to contribute to the cost of its production. This summer, I have a special request: Our family of five is going to Guatemala in October with our church and Healing Nations to care for some overlooked people. You can read about these trips here. If Muslim Connect has helped, encouraged, informed or poked your buttons, would you consider giving a gift that will help me, my wife and our three kiddos get to Guatemala? I’d be grateful. Click here, select “Healing Nations Trips,” type in “Bennetts’ October Trip.”