Tiny Wins
Friday, May 15, 2026
Hey pals, I want to try a slightly new format. Maybe we’ll make it a recurring feature if we like it! I want to periodically share small wins in immigration world, and within this community. I already try to share good news whenever we can find it, and I think regularly looking for hope will encourage us all!
On Monday, our challenge was to call our Member of Congress’s office and ask if they’ve ever visited a detention center. One of my friends texted me that Congressman Huizenga’s office couldn’t confirm or deny that he had visited, but took down the information that she’d like him to. Bev shared with us in the comments exactly the winding route she took to complete this homework assignment! Not only did she go above and beyond, but she was kind amidst all the frustrations!
Peg let us know that Congresswoman Summer Lee in Pennsylvania has been trying to visit her local detention facility. She has been turned away (even though she has a right to oversight), but has stayed a faithful voice for those detained. She hasn’t given up and plans to try again.
On Tuesday, we talked about the 1,100 Afghan allies stranded in Qatar. Several of you let me know that you’re signing up for World Relief's Zoom advocacy day! The virtual advocacy training is on June 12, 12–1 pm EST, and signing up is still open — here’s the link again. West Michigan friends, we’ll be on the same call. I promise you don’t need any advocacy experience to sign up!
A legal win! The administration tried to end Temporary Protected Status for Yemenis.1 Three days before 3,000 people were set to lose their legal status, a judge ruled that they must keep their TPS until the Supreme Court has made decisions about what the courts are allowed to do about TPS. We’ll take the temporary win!
How can I pray? Praise God for everyone in this community who prayed or took other actions this week. Pray for the 1,100 Afghans in Qatar, and for those trying to bring them to safety. Pray for Yemenis living in the U.S., that they will find comfort and continued protection. Pray for all Temporary Protected Status holders living in uncertain times. Pray for the staffers who are answering all of our phone calls — may they have steady resolve and tender hearts, and be moved by our pleas for justice.
What is one more thing I can do? Would you share with me (in the comments, or an email, or a DM) a small thing you did this week? Did you make a phone call, sign up for a training, or do some research, spend time in prayer, or have an immigration conversation? It can be tiny. Tiny is great! I think it’s awesome to keep encouraging each other that those of us reading are, in fact, taking action. (I’m happy to keep anything anonymous that you’d like, of course!)
I really love hearing from you all!
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Our country currently has a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Yemen, saying “Do not travel in Yemen due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, and landmines.”
Made phone calls, sent emails, helped immigrant friends with the search for new housing, helped process medical bills and appointments, helped with employment issues, helped with WIC shopping, contacted attorneys several times about USCIS emails received by an immigrant friend, listened to world events from a perspective outside of this country, was a guest for a meal, trying to reach out to a family in hiding that their immigration application may finally be processed after years of waiting, and had the joy of playing with an adorable two-year-old and sharing his laughter. What a privilege to be able to do these things, what I would need someone to do for me if we were in each other's shoes.
Catching up on the good news! Back in February, TPS for the Haitians in Ohio (of "they're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats" fame -- they are of course the very best of neighbors) was confirmed by the courts. Bad news: the Trump administration is fighting that decision in court. For now our state-next-door neighbors are safe -- pray the decision holds.
Meanwhile a few dozen people held a "Singing Protest" in Sewickley PA this past Saturday morning (a suburb of Pittsburgh, to the west). We sang protest songs both new and old in the gazebo in the center of town. More to come over the summer! Also another Singing Protest group has organized in Squirrel Hill (a suburb of Pittsburgh, to the east). I'm not as active in this one because they usually have rehearsals on Sundays but I attend when I can.
Phone calls to elected rep's are on the to-do list.
Question: how often do y'all call your senators and reps in DC? Do you think they partially discount repeat callers? ("ohno not her again"?)
One other piece of good news on a personal note: I am officially retiring the end of June! I hope after the dust settles I'll be able to be more active in assisting local immigrants again.
Thank you Brittani for all you do, and for helping us look at the positives!!