Contact your senators to ask them to oppose funding for mass detentions and deportations in the  “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.”

Right now, senators are considering the sprawling budget reconciliation bill known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act”, which would:

• Add nearly $120 billion to existing border security and immigration enforcement funding, dramatically increasing funding for detentions and deportations;
• Limit asylum to those who can pay for it by imposing a $1,000 fee to seek asylum and $550 fee for asylum-seekers’ work authorizations, prohibitive fees for those seeking safety and self-sufficiency; and
• Restrict immigrants’ already-limited access to hunger and healthcare programs, including U.S. citizens and individuals who hold legal immigration status and pay taxes to support these social service programs. 

The ELCA social policy resolution “Toward Just, Compassionate, and Humane Immigration Reform” states that “hospitality for the uprooted is a way to live out the biblical call to love the neighbor in response to God’s love in Jesus Christ.” This hospitality does not just help the vulnerable, it benefits the entire community.

Note: For more detailed information on the Bill, see a section by section summary of “Immigration and Law Enforcement Matters” and the similar House bill language pertaining to immigration provisions.

This legislative session saw a record 87 vetoes, but the work for justice is far from over. Many of these bills aligned closely with ELCA social teachings, including protections for tenants, stronger gun safety laws, expanded voter access, and affirmations of reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.

Among the vetoed bills were efforts to:

• Curb medical debt and predatory pricing (Economic Life, 1999)
• Protect immigrant students and honor cultural diversity (Immigration, 1998; Race, Ethnicity & Culture, 1993)
• Expand paid family leave and housing stability (Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All)
• Reduce gun violence and protect election integrity (Community Violence, 1994; Government & Civic Engagement, 2020)

As Lutherans, we are called to love our neighbor through public witness. LEAN and our partners will continue this work during the legislative interim—educating, organizing, and preparing to lift up these values again in 2027.

Consumer Protection & Economic Justice

Relevant Bills:

• AB 44 (Price manipulation ban)
• AB 204 (Medical debt reform)
• AB 223 / AB 201 / AB 280 / AB 283 (Tenant protections)

Voter Engagement

Relevant Bills:

• AB 306 / AB 499 / AB 534 / AB 496 (Election access and transparency)

Healthcare Access & Reproductive Justic

Relevant Bills:

• SB 171 / SB 217 (Reproductive and gender-affirming care protections)

Youth & Education Justice

Relevant Bills:

• AB 217 / AB 397 / AB 416 (Protecting students from ICE, increasing access for homeless youth, free expression in schools)

Racial Justice & Historical Accountability

Relevant Bills:

• AB 328 (Racial Equity Commission)
• AB 209 (Trafficking victim protections)

Worker Rights & Family Support

Relevant Bills:

• AB 388 (Expanded paid family leave)

 Gun Violence Prevention

Relevant Bills:

• AB 105 / AB 245 / SB 89 / SB 156

Cultural Recognition & Inclusion

Relevant Bills:

• AB 82 / AB 98 / AB 144 / AB 278 (Recognizing Diwali, Eid, Vesak, Dolores Huerta, Indigenous Peoples Day, Muslim Heritage Month)

This legislative session, Nevada passed several bills that reflect our Lutheran commitment to justice, compassion, and community. Guided by ELCA Social Statements, here are key wins we celebrate:

Health Equity — Laws now expand access to healthcare for incarcerated people, low-income residents, and those with language barriers. (ELCA: Health & Health Care)

• AB 25 (incarcerated women’s health), SB 54 medical respite), AB 161 (hospice standards), AB 343 (hospital price transparency), AB 514 (Medicaid inclusion of therapeutic group homes), SB 54 (medical respite).

Housing Advocacy— New protections for renters, IDs for the unhoused, and investment in supportive housing affirm dignity for all. (ELCA: Economic Life)

• AB 38 (manufactured housing protections), AB 241/AB 396 (mar‐flex zoning, ADUs), AB 366 (Supportive Housing fund), AB 220 (ID cards for homeless), AB 263 (homeless outreach), SB 233 (local ag & farm sourcing).

Justice Reform — Humane policies for incarcerated youth, protections for tribal judges, and voluntary firearm restriction options promote safety and dignity. (*ELCA: Criminal Justice*)

• AB 89 (unclothed searches for detained youth), AB 123 (threats in political campaigns), AB 150/153 (tribal judge protections), SB 60 (vulnerable victims enhancements), SB 347 (firearm confiscation on crisis holds), SB 120 (payment plans in courts).

Student Support— From mental health care to FAFSA help for incarcerated youth, students are better supported to thrive. (ELCA: Our Calling in Education)

• AB 48 (school transfer on bullying), AB 153 (FAFSA assistance for incarcerated students), SB 52 (language learner reporting and exemptions), AB 406 (mental health supports in schools), AB 420 (monitoring school cop use).

Creation Care— Cities must now plan for extreme heat and public access to trails—justice for both people and planet. (ELCA: Caring for Creation)

• AB 96 (county heat‑mitigation planning).

Voter Engagement  — Voting materials will now be available in more languages and tribal voices will help staff polling places. (ELCA: Race, Ethnicity & Culture)

• AB 220 (ID for homeless), AB 367 (language access in elections), SB 421 (recruitment for reservations), SB 188 (limited-English leafer healthcare access), SB 96 (Holocaust Remembrance Day).

Let us continue to advocate boldly and faithfully—because justice is love in public.

Juneteenth is Thursday, and here is a list of some events happening around Nevada.

• The 37th Annual Juneteenth Festival from Noon to 3pm at the Glow Plaza at the J Resort on Thursday the 19th! All are invited to attend! and ALL ages! They will award their first ever Miss Juneteenth, and the event is sponsored by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society
• F.A.I.T.H Freedom Festival Juneteenth 2025 will be at 6 pm on Thursday, June 19th at Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• The 24th Annual Juneteenth Festival from 4pm to 9pm at The Expo at World Market Center, on Saturday, June 21st for a day filled with celebration, music, food, and culture