Free Republic

Wading the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass after a harrowing, weeks-long journey through three countries, Devis hopped a train that brought him to San Antonio. The 25-year-old Honduran knew landing work here wouldn't be too hard. A much harder task was finding a place to stay in a city where he didn't know anyone. A night at a homeless shelter among drug addicts and alcoholics was scary. Another on a park bench didn't provide much sleep. He was about to leave for Houston in search of estranged relatives when someone pointed him to Misión Cristiana Internacional, an immigrant shelter on...

A small group of faith-driven activists in San Antonio has a message for unauthorized immigrants who are being run out from coast to coast by new laws and massive raids: You're welcome here. Meeting quietly for months at a local church, they decided to counter what they see as an increasingly toxic anti-immigrant atmosphere by turning the city into a sanctuary for unauthorized immigrants. The activists, all Catholics, are trying to organize a network of places and services that migrants can tap for help. Need a place to stay? They can find one for you. Pockets and stomach empty? They'll...

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. Dozens of anti-illegal immigration activists faced off against immigrant-rights backers at a rally outside a church where an illegal immigrant is being sheltered with her U.S.-born infant son. One immigrant-rights advocate was injured with a chemical spray during Sunday's confrontation at the United Church of Christ, officials said. Members of the anti-illegal immigration group Save Our State, which organized the rally that drew about 120 protesters and counter-protesters, said they had hoped to make a citizen's arrest of the woman, who has identified herself only as Liliana. Liliana is living in the church's former parsonage as part...