(The Center Square)–A program launched in partnership with the Obama administration more than a decade ago that certifies localities to “improve immigrant inclusion” overlaps with crimes being committed by illegal foreign nationals in those communities, according to crime reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and other data evaluated by The Center Square.
“Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for cities and counties that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion,” given by the nonpartisan nonprofit organization, “Certified Welcoming.” It says it partners with 300 nonprofits and local governments working “to build more inclusive and welcoming communities in the United States.”
It launched its “Welcoming America” initiative in 2014 to advance a strategic plan to “better integrate immigrants and refugees into American communities.”
The organization clarifies that the certification is not the same as having sanctuary city status. Instead, it indicates that communities have “committed to adhering to inclusive policies and practices [in its] ‘Welcoming Standard,’” to build trust and relationships with law enforcement and educate “immigrants about their rights and responsibilities under the law.”
So far, 36 cities and counties are Certified Welcoming: Boise, Idaho; Champaign and Oak Park, IL; Indianapolis and Allen County, IN; Emporia, KS; Louisville, KY; New Orleans, LA; Portland, ME; Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties, MD; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Crete and Lincoln, NE; Nashua, NH; Charlotte, NC; Dayton, Cuyahoga Falls and Toledo and Cuyahoga and Lucas counties, OH; Tulsa, OK; Erie, Lancaster, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA; Austin and Dallas, TX; Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, UT; Roanoke, VA; and Seattle, WA.
Many have implemented sanctuary city policies identified by the Department of Justice, which is taking legal action against them. This is after ICE during the Biden administration arrested nearly 528,000 violent offenders, including in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Certified Welcoming is tied to multiple open border organizations that promote “diversity, equity and inclusion” and “climate migration,” funded by billionaire George Soros and others. Their partner initiative, Gateways for Growth, provides a “competitive opportunity for localities to receive research support and technical assistance” from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to advance “immigrant inclusion.”
The council claims to “fight against” state “anti-immigrant policies,” provide free legal services for asylum seekers, fund grants for cities and localities to “improve immigrant inclusion,” build local “resilience for resettlement infrastructure,” promote foreign workers obtaining a range of visas among multiple other programs and initiatives.
Since 2016, Gateways for Growth says it provided support to nearly 100 localities in 36 states, with Michigan, California, Ohio, Texas and Virginia receiving the most.
In Certified Welcoming Boise, ICE arrested a Honduran in the country illegally who killed an eight-year-old girl, The Center Square reported. In Gateways supported Des Moines, ICE arrested a Guyanese national and Des Moines Public School superintendent who’d been living and working in the country illegally for years. The district is being investigated for alleged discriminatory hiring practices. The Guyanan worked for public schools in the sanctuary city of and Certified Welcoming Baltimore and Gateways supported Baltimore County, The Center Square reported.
Regional Homeland Security task forces and federal partners are targeting transnational crime in Certified Welcoming and Gateway localities. In Los Angeles, violent assassin cartel affiliated gang and foreign terrorist organization (FTO) members were indicted as ICE officers continue to be attacked, The Center Square reported.
In Chicago, ICE is arresting cartel-connected gang members and FTOs, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13 members, while being targeted in drive by shootings. Chicago leads the U.S. with the most violent vehicular attacks against ICE agents; attacks have increased by 1,300% nationwide; death threats have increased by 8,000%, The Center Square reported. In Cook County, TdA crime has exploded.
Texas has experienced the most attacks against ICE facilities, including targeted shootings, bomb threats and mailed powdery substances in Welcoming City and Gateways supported Dallas.
In Certified Welcoming and Gateways supported Charlotte, ICE is targeting 1,400 criminal foreign nationals it says were released because of sanctuary policies; in Gateways supported Twin Cities and Lincoln, federal agents are uncovering massive immigration fraud.
ICE is also targeting human rights abusers, including ICE Detroit officers deporting a convicted Burkinabe coup leader illegally living in Cincinnati and arresting TdA members in Certified Welcoming and Gateways supported Detroit and sanctuary city of Denver.
Some sanctuary jurisdictions are reversing course. Earlier this year, Louisville’s mayor revoked the city’s sanctuary policies in the Certified Welcoming city after receiving legal threats from the DOJ. On Oct. 31, Baltimore County signed an agreement to cooperate with ICE and was removed from the DOJ’s sanctuary jurisdiction list.
Others aren’t. In September, the DOJ sued Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul; earlier this year, it sued Boston, Los Angeles and New York. ICE continues to arrest thousands of criminal foreign nationals released onto the streets in these jurisdictions, including violent sex offenders and traffickers. This year, the first racketeering and sex trafficking charges were brought against TdA members in New York.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.