“Neil Shenvi, an Indian and evangelical influencer himself, suggested Sey “belongs here” because he married an American and has kids. He thought it wrong that ICE would deport someone with an American  wife and, by virtue of an American mom and sadly un-overturned birthright Citizenship, children who are Citizens. Of course, that would be true for millions of illegal aliens. Since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, even if an alien marries an American, they must apply, satisfy the requirements, and receive approval; the marriage certificate itself neither grants a green card nor extends an expired authorized stay. It’s been this way for about 75 years. Everyone knows the rules. Sey knew the rules. Sey allegedly broke the rules. It appears obvious, given what we know now, that Sey knew he was overstaying his visa and, like so many illegal aliens who came during Biden’s tenure, thought an attorney could clear up the ‘confusion.’ The feds were not confused. The evangelicals were. The fundraiser, promoted by Protestia, invoked Sey’s wife, three children, and standing as a “brother in Christ” while collecting money for household expenses and legal fees. Many others matter-of-factly appealed to his Christianity to lobby ICE via X to release him. The irony is rich. The segment of evangelicalism most opposed to Christian Nationalism was lobbying the government to reconsider his deportation because he was a Christian. Imagine lobbying a government you argue should remain pluralistic and secular to let an illegal immigrant stay because he’s ‘spiritual family.’ That’s not how a pluralistic, secular state operates. Neither is it how a nation operates in general, because taking an immigration oath doesn’t make you an American any more than walking an aisle or repeating a prayer makes you a Christian.” *Read the full article on the NXR Substack.