This review would be very different if I had read A Journey Called Hope before the second presidency of Donald Trump. The book, with the subtitle, “Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream,” is written by Rick Rouse and was published by Chalice Press in August 2024. It predates the Trump administration’s shift in immigration policy, with ICE detaining and deporting people, sometimes under legally questionable circumstances, along with an almost total suspension of new refugee admissions.

The foreword by Rick Steves quotes Nelson Mandela, who said, “The best weapon is to sit down and talk.” This concept is reinforced by the bulk of the book, which features the journeys of eight immigrants who have settled in America. Before we get to these stories in Part Two, Rouse discusses in Part One the history of American immigration, the rise of Christian Nationalism and The Great Replacement Theory, why we need immigrants, and the mounting crisis of refugees due to political instability, climate change, and other factors. The author also provides statistics which refute the idea that America is experiencing an invasion at its borders. These are particularly important in light of the rhetoric and misinformation being circulated today.

Rouse also delves into the extreme difficulties and challenges people face trying to immigrate to the United States. For those refugees fortunate enough to be approved for relocation, faith-based or charitable resettlement agencies play a big part in helping immigrants adjust to their new lives and obtain basic necessities such as housing, food, English language classes, etc. As Rouse discusses the wonderful work of these resettlement agencies, one can’t help but think of the impact that the Trump administration’s cuts have had, including the direct impact on newly arrived refugees as they struggle to find housing and employment, since charitable organizations no longer have the funds to help as they have in the past.

As I read the stories of the eight immigrants in Part Two, I was inspired by their courage, resilience, and love of their new country. Yet, at the same time, I was saddened as I worried about their future in a country that has now pulled the welcome mat out from under their feet. How many of them may now be facing deportation or watching the deportation of family and friends? Are there to be no more “journeys of hope” as the Trump administration has suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, as well as terminating the Welcome Corps program?

The final chapter questions whether the American Dream is still attainable for immigrants and suggests five ways to combat the forces threatening it. They are: Love the Neighbor, Try Civil Discourse. Practice Compassion. Live with a Spirit of Generosity, and Embrace Diversity. Disinformation needs to be countered, and conversations need to be had with those taken in by the disinformation. One way to be better informed is to read this book, either alone or, preferably, in a book club, church study, or other group. Each chapter of the book includes discussion questions, which can serve as a starting point to dig deeper into the topics raised by the book. They are not always in-depth questions, but I find that most groups only need a question or two to get conversations going. The questions are also available as a PowerPoint Presentation and the Chalice Press website notes that “Author Rick Rouse is graciously offering to meet with book clubs, small groups or classes via Zoom at a mutually convenient time for discussion and Q&A. For more information, group leaders should contact him at: rwrouse@comcast.net”