Anton Flores-Maisonet
On the afternoon of July 11, during a seminar at Follow Jesus ’25, a group of participants gathered for a seminar to hear about the work of Casa Alterna, a house for vulnerable asylum seekers in the state of Georgia. Participants also learned more about practical responses and community engagement that can support the immigrant populations across the United States. Anton Flores-Maisonet founded Casa Alterna in 2006, which provides hospitality to asylum seekers and vulnerable immigrants. Currently in partnership with Atlanta Mennonite Church and the Atlanta Friends Meeting, since 2020, Casa Alterna has housed nearly 600 immigrants from over 50 countries.
Casa Alterna operates as an asylum seekers’ housing network and provides stipends for six months, with the option to rent if the circumstances are appropriate, for up to a year. During their stay, they work towards goals such as obtaining work permits and gaining legal status. The housing model that Casa Alterna has developed allows vulnerable families to fully own their own homes, all without using banking with interest. The organization has hosted hundreds of guests from over 50 countries around the world.
The organization also recruits volunteers who go to ICE field offices during their hours of operation, especially during times when immigrants are called to make appearances. Called The Gates of ICE, the ministry offers support in presence and pastoral care to the individuals who report there for legal proceedings. While the volunteers are not able to physically block proceedings, they are there to act as a visual representation of resistance to the systematic issues that are at play in these situations, like dehumanization, deportation, detention and demonization. They are also able to offer practical resources such as umbrellas for when it rains and “Know Your Rights” cards.
Anton Flores-Maisonet, founder of Casa Alterna, said, “I don’t know what it’s going to take to topple the systems of death, but day by day, I try to choose systems of life.
After an introduction to Casa Alterna and the issues at play for immigrants and asylum seekers, participants were asked to silently reflect on how their churches, organizations or even themselves are practicing lodging, listening, loving and/or liberating activities supporting immigrant populations in their context. Then, participants joined the table that they felt most drawn to, to discuss with other table members what is happening in their communities and how to get involved or more deeply involved in initiatives that support immigrant groups. Table groups spoke about how their churches and congregations are participating in providing support, how their communities and neighborhoods are offering homes, rooms, and apartments to provide spaces to stay, as well as various other ways that people are offering support. In conclusion, participants from each table shared a few points about what their table had discussed.
Participant John Stoltzfus, Rockingham, Virginia, and a member of Parkview Mennonite Church, part of Virginia Mennonite Conference, reflected, “I am challenged by how different communities are seeking to address this in times when it feels overwhelming and had to know exactly how to respond.”
Anton Flores-Maisonet’s first and newly released book, “Welcome Friends.”
Another participant, Sierra Ross Richer, Parnell, Iowa said, “Before coming to convention, I didn’t know that so many people were thinking about and working on issues related to immigration and that’s been neat to hear.”
Find Anton Flores-Maisonet’s first book entitled, “Welcome, Friends: Stories of hope and hospitality with immigrants,” now available for purchase, here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/welcome-friends-anton-flores-maisonet/1147673017