I zoom out further to the lifespans of trees and rocks, heading into spiritual reminders that nothing lasts forever.
As we approach 2025, we face a real threat to marginalized communities, especially immigrants. A new era of fear and hostility is unfolding, one that undermines our core values. The incoming administration plans to centralize power, restrict migration, and expand the threat of mass deportation, further deepening harm to immigrant communities. In response, we must resist with love in action.
Much of what follows here is inspired by Daniel Hunter, founder of Choose Democracy. Hunter emphasizes building alternatives—spaces of care and community—which shape our approach, combining resistance with radical hospitality to create a sustainable, loving response to the attacks on our immigrant siblings.
Trust in Community and Inner Strength
Authoritarianism thrives on fear and isolation, but resistance starts with trust—in ourselves and each other. By listening to our inner convictions and community wisdom, we build resilience and counter the distrust authoritarian systems foster. Trust sustains us, creates safe spaces, and allows us to offer sanctuary to the vulnerable.
Building Communities of Resistance
The incoming administration will push for mass deportations, even endorsing vigilantism. We must counter this by building resistance communities. Casa Alterna will continue to be a space of solidarity, disrupting harmful policies and protecting those at risk, grounded in love, dignity, and mutual support.
Discernment: Choosing Where to Act
The proposed immigration policy changes will overwhelm us with crises, making it difficult to know where to focus. Discernment is vital—both strategic and spiritual—enabling us to focus where we can make the most impact while resisting burnout and remaining aligned with our mission of being a place where love crosses borders.
Casa Alterna: Hospitality and Resistance in Action
Casa Alterna is pivoting to resist harsh policies imposed by the federal or state government. We stand firm as a grassroots community of hospitality and resistance. Some concrete steps include:
- Undisclosed Long-Term Housing Location: To shield residents from extremists and retaliatory enforcement, we will no longer publicly share the location of our long-term housing.
- Partnerships for Legal Support: We are partnering with organizations to provide legal and social services, ensuring residents have the resources to protect their rights.
- Helping Families Protect Their Children: We’ve partnered with a congregation and attorney to offer a “Know Your Rights” workshop, discussing how parents can protect their children if detained or deported. Casa Alterna also provided funds for legal consultations for two families and is planning more workshops to help vulnerable families prepare emergency kits of notarized documents.
- Protective Statement from Atlanta Friends Meeting: The Atlanta Friends Meeting, where I reside and where Casa Alterna provides short-term hospitality, is drafting a statement of sanctuary and solidarity, reaffirming its commitment to protecting immigrants and resisting the deportation pipeline.
- Sanctuary on the Move: We are launching an initiative to offer hospitality and solidarity to individuals traveling to ICE field offices for check-ins or court hearings, ensuring immigrants know they are not alone.
Join Us in Solidarity
The time to act is now. If you stand for dignity and immigrant rights, join us in our witness to justice. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, your actions will be a lifeline for those facing an uncertain future.
- Join our Sanctuary on the Move team: Volunteers will provide information about free hospitality and support to immigrants at imminent risk of deportation, engage with those suffering under cruel systems, and demonstrate that justice and dignity remain unshaken. We seek volunteers who believe love crosses borders. Spanish fluency is a bonus. Our greatest need is for volunteers in early weekday mornings.
- Become a recurring donor: Due to increasing risks and the administration’s crackdown on sanctuary providers, Casa Alterna will no longer accept federal funds. Federal funding requires sharing immigrant names and IDs, which we will not do in this political climate. This decision brings a financial cost, including staff reductions, my salary cut, and a $50,000 deficit. However, the risks to our credibility and autonomy outweigh these setbacks. Please consider becoming a recurring donor to help us bridge the gap.
Creative and Courageous Resistance
Effective resistance requires creativity and courage. Symbolic actions like protests are important, but they must be paired with strategic efforts to disrupt oppressive systems. For immigration, this includes community-led initiatives, legal aid, and nonviolent direct action to challenge deportation and detention systems, all grounded in justice and dignity.
Building Alternatives: Sanctuary and Community
As Daniel Hunter emphasizes, we must build alternatives—spaces of care, community, and solidarity. Casa Alterna is not just a shelter but a sanctuary—an alternative community of mutual support actively resisting unjust systems. We will continue to protect immigrants, disrupt the systems that criminalize them, and foster a thriving community of dignity, care, and collective action.
In the face of growing authoritarianism, we will resist, protect, and build the Beloved Community together.
by Anton Flores-Maisonet
Casa Alterna 