“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
*Disclaimer: Some of you may have differing opinions about what you’re about to read, and that’s okay. UPN is an organization that is deeply engaged on the front lines of the immigration issue and we ask you to read this with an open mind and compassionate heart.
Dear friends and supporters,
The past two weeks have been incredibly challenging for our community. Between the flood of executive orders related to immigration and the trauma of a school shooting at Antioch High School (a school that some of our StreetLeaders attend, and most have friends or siblings that attend), many of our already vulnerable students and neighbors feel scared, exhausted, and uncertain about the future.
While there are so many things that have been swirling through my head about what to say here, I don’t want to make this email political. To me, it doesn’t matter who you voted for and it never did. What matters is how you respond to the chaos, fear, hate, and otherness that is ensuing against our vulnerable refugee and immigrant neighbors. What matters is that if you are a Christ-follower, how are you loving your neighbors (no matter where they are from) and in doing so showing the world that you are His follower?
I want to give you a little bit of perspective into the last two weeks around UPN, where there's been a constant cloud of fear and anxiety surrounding our students, StreetLeaders, and parents. In addition to processing the trauma of the school shooting, students and StreetLeaders began sharing that they were feeling fear and uncertainty about either themselves or their family members being taken by ICE. The director of the community center where our programs meet sat down with us to ask the question: “What do we do if ICE shows up here? How do we keep our kids safe?” It’s a valid question since schools, hospitals, churches, and places of worship are no longer places of sanctuary. A nine year old student asked me for help because he’s afraid of being taken from his family. A father of a StreetLeader expressed concern that ICE might show up to take his daughters while we are on our camping trip this summer. A StreetLeader who just arrived in August, who has been so joyful and grateful now that she’s free from the Taliban’s rule, was noticeably silent last week as she is confused and grappling with the fear of losing her new-found freedom, safety, and sense of home.
These examples are just a small sample size of what our UPN community is experiencing, and a microscopic example of what immigrant communities across the country are experiencing. Some were born here. Some were invited here through legal pathways. Some came here as minors, either on their own or with siblings because their parents were so desperate for their children to be safe that it was a better decision for them to send their children traveling through multiple countries alone with the hope of seeking asylum here than to stay at home. No matter what pathway they took, all of them came here out of desperation for better futures—a choice, I believe, any of us would make for the well-being of our own families. Currently, 100,000 refugees—thoroughly vetted while they patiently waited for years—who had travel plans to come to the U.S. have now been denied this long-awaited privilege. For many recently arrived refugees, the government funding they were promised in their first three months has been abruptly cut, leaving resettlement agencies struggling to bridge the gap and provide essential support. What’s happening across the landscape of immigration is a deeply distressing reality that is impacting real people and disrupting their sense of stability and security.
Friends, these are our neighbors. These are our already marginalized neighbors that are being grossly mistreated and it's heartbreaking. They are image bearers of the Almighty God- created in His image, just like you and me. Many of my refugee and immigrant friends are truly some of the dearest, most hospitable, generous, hard-working people I know. They bring such unique perspectives, beauty, and gifts to our communities. They may have found themselves in very different circumstances throughout their life, but they are no less deserving of the opportunity to flourish than we are. And because of their vulnerable situation, I believe that gives us all the more reason to show the radical love and welcome of Christ to them. All throughout Scripture, we see that God is passionate about welcoming the stranger, caring for the foreigner, and seeking justice for the oppressed. The man who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” found his answer in the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan: “The one who showed him mercy.” We must ask ourselves: Are we showing mercy and loving our neighbors, no matter what their status is or where they were born, in a way that reflects Christ’s sacrificial love?
At UPN, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide a safe, welcoming space where refugees can heal, learn, and direct their own futures for good. The urgency of this work has never been greater. These young people—many of whom have already endured unimaginable trauma—need the stability, love, and hope that the UPN community offers. And as we continue to speak up and advocate for them and their families, we hope that you’ll join us- because that is what Jesus calls us to do.
What We Are Doing
How You Can Help We invite you to step into this moment with us. Whether through prayer, volunteering, donating, or simply reaching out to someone who might feel alone and scared, there are several ways you can make an impact:
If you don’t know anyone personally, I can help connect you. It’s one of my favorite things to do! Please reach out to me directly at shawna.upnashville@gmail.com.
Thank you for standing with us and with those who need us most. They need us to shine light in the darkness; to prioritize love over fear. And by doing this, this is how the world will know that we are His disciples.
In Christ’s love and service, Shawna and Jonathan Sheahen UPN Co-Founders |
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