RNS Morning Report - It's been called the Ellis Island of the South. Now residents worry about ICE.

A Visit to the Ellis Island of the South When RNS reporter Yonat Shimron visited Clarkston, Ga., she expected to find a thriving small city of resettled refugees. One of the most diverse square miles in America, Clarkston has been dubbed the Ellis Island of the South. But when she arrived, she found that many recently resettled refugees are living in fear that the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda — intended to target undocumented immigrants — will ensnare them, too. Refugee advocates, meanwhile, are on high alert, hosting Know Your Rights meetings and emergency preparedness seminars.   "There are not any positive words to give them hope, except we say, 'We are with you. We are here' and, 'We want to offer you any kind of support you need,'" said Muzhda Oriakhil, a U.S. citizen from Afghanistan who works for a nonprofit helping refugee mothers in Clarkston. Read more. Top Stories It’s been called the Ellis Island of the South. Now residents worry about ICE. (RNS) — As the U.S. embraces aggressive anti-immigrant policies, Clarkston, Georgia, is now a test of how to best protect the diverse community of refugees. Rededicate 250 touts a star-studded prayer bash with politicians, Christian celebrities (RNS) — But a new poll finds many Americans aren’t comfortable mixing religion and politics. A record-breaking race and Catholic blessing highlight the role of faith for Kenyan runners (RNS) — Sabastian Sawe clinched the London Marathon in record time, becoming the first human to run an official marathon in under two hours. His win also drew attention to the connection between running and faith for Kenyans. Albrecht Weinberg, a Holocaust survivor who returned to Germany in his 80s, dies at 101 BERLIN (AP) — Weinberg, who was born in Rhauderfehn, near Leer, on March 7, 1925, survived incarceration at the Auschwitz, Mittelbau-Dora and Bergen-Belsen camps as well as three death marches at the end of World War II. Opinion Faith communities must lead on the hunger crisis — but they can’t substitute for US policy (RNS) — The need for faith-based leadership on hunger is a sign American policy is not working. We traded church for wellness. Now, we’re paying for it. (RNS) — The spiritual-but-not-religious helped create a void in public life that is now being filled in ways we didn’t anticipate and frankly don’t like. I know because I’m one of them.  ICYMI Federal employees sue USDA secretary over Christian messaging (RNS) — Asked to comment on the suit, a USDA spokesperson said: ‘While we do not comment on pending litigation, we will keep the plaintiffs in our prayers during this process.’ A Christian nation? At 250, America is still fighting over what that means Scholars say American history is more Christian than secular advocates claim — and less religious than Christian nationalists would assert. A look at the complicated, contested history of America as a Christian nation. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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