The ACLJ took action against a homeowners association (HOA) in Texas after it informed our client that religious yard signs are not permitted even though the HOA permits various nonreligious yard signs.

Our client initially had a sign in her front yard and a banner in the backyard. The sign stated, “Pray for America,” and the banner stated, “Jesus is Our Only Hope.” Shortly after our client put up the sign and banner, she received a violation notice from the HOA that demanded our client “Remove ALL ‘Jesus’ signs—they are not allowed.”

Our client thought she had been told to remove the signs because the banner was too large and did not meet the HOA size requirements for signs. So, our client sought approval for the sign and banner with the HOA’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC came back and stated the signs were political and asked if they met the size requirements. Given that the banner did not meet the size requirements, the client then purchased a smaller yard sign with the same message. Once again, she sought the ARC’s approval. This time the ARC came back and stated that the signs were not approved political signs.

Our client then sought clarification from a member of the ARC and learned that the true intention behind the denial was the religious content on the signs. The committee member told our client that religious signs are not on the list of allowed signs, thus admitting that other signs are permitted but religious signs are prohibited. The committee member also failed to mention that the committee has the discretion to approve signs that are not on the typical list of approved signs.

We fired off a demand letter informing the HOA of our client’s rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Despite what many homeowners associations think, they cannot prohibit religious signs while allowing nonreligious signs.

As we explained in our letter, the FHA makes it illegal “[t]o discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of … religion.” Courts have also emphasized individuals are protected from discrimination before and after they acquire the property, including governance by HOAs. The FHA therefore prohibits HOAs from applying rules to an owner’s use of their property in a manner that discriminates against their religion.

Here, the HOA did just that. Various signs are permitted around the neighborhood, but our client’s signs were prohibited specifically because they are religious. Moreover, the committee had the discretion to approve other signs but specifically prohibited our client’s signs based on their religious content.

Because of this violation of federal law, we demanded the HOA cease all discrimination and allow our client to display religious signs. We were prepared to take further legal action if the HOA did not comply. However, shortly after the HOA received our demand letter, it reversed course. Our client received written assurances that she will be permitted to display her religious signs and that no further enforcement action will occur.

Learn more about your rights regarding homeowner associations and housing complexes in our Know Your Rights resource. If you have experienced religious discrimination by your HOA, the ACLJ may be able to help. Please contact us at ACLJ.org/HELP.
Sources:BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS

http://theendtimeradio.com

ന്യൂഡല്‍ഹി : ഇന്ത്യക്കാരായ വിദ്യാര്‍ഥികള്‍ക്ക് അനുവദിച്ച യുഎസ് വീസ ഈ വര്‍ഷം ഗണ്യമായി കുറഞ്ഞു. ജനുവരി മുതല്‍ സെപ്റ്റംബര്‍ വരെ 64,008 വീസയാണ് അനുവദിച്ചത്. 2023ല്‍ സമാന കാലയളവില്‍ ഇത് 1,03,495 ആയിരുന്നു.

വിദ്യാര്‍ഥികള്‍ക്കുള്ള എഫ്1 വീസ 2021 ല്‍ സമാന കാലയളവില്‍ 65,235 ആയിരുന്നു. 2022 ല്‍ ഇതു 93,181 ആയിരുന്നുവെന്നും രേഖകള്‍ വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നു. കോവിഡ് വ്യാപിച്ച 2020 ലെ ആദ്യ 9 മാസത്തില്‍ 6646 എഫ്1 വീസയാണ് ഇന്ത്യക്കാര്‍ക്ക് അനുവദിച്ചിരുന്നത്. യുഎസില്‍ ഉപരിപഠനം നടത്തുന്നവര്‍ക്കു വേണ്ടിയുള്ള നോണ്‍ ഇമിഗ്രന്റ് വിഭാഗത്തില്‍പെട്ടതാണ് എഫ്1 വീസ.

ചൈന ഉള്‍പ്പെടെയുള്ള രാജ്യങ്ങളിലെ വിദ്യാര്‍ഥികള്‍ക്ക് അനുവദിച്ച വീസയിലും കുറവുണ്ടെങ്കിലും ഇത്ര വലുതല്ല. ഈ വര്‍ഷം ആദ്യത്തെ 9 മാസത്തില്‍ 73,781 എഫ്1 വീസയാണു ചൈനീസ് വിദ്യാര്‍ഥികള്‍ക്ക് അനുവദിച്ചത്. കഴിഞ്ഞ വര്‍ഷമിത് 80,603 ആയിരുന്നുവെന്നും ബ്യൂറോ ഓഫ് കോണ്‍സുലര്‍ അഫയേഴ്‌സിന്റെ വെബ്‌സൈറ്റില്‍ വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നു.
Sources:nerkazhcha

http://theendtimeradio.com

President Ronald Reagan made an indelible impact on America — and his family.

His son, Michael Reagan, recently told CBN News about his father’s faith and legacy. The younger Reagan said the thing people most get wrong about his dad centers on assumptions about how he presented himself.

“He is exactly who you think he is,” he said, calling the elder Reagan “humble.” “My father was the same with you as he was with me. The sense of humor — all of it.”

He also said it was “great” seeing the new feature film “Reagan,” which he believes captured his dad’s true person, with stories about his father coming “alive” throughout the movie. Michael Reagan said his own children were able to see the film and observe their grandfather encapsulated in a powerful way.

Considering the ex-president’s legacy, “Reagan” made a splash when it was released earlier this year.

The former president’s son also spoke about his father’s Christian faith, calling him “very religious,” and deeply concerned for others. Michael said prayer was something on which his dad greatly relied.

“He was always in prayer for our family,” Michael Reagan said.

He also recalled a conversation with Reagan about the 1981 incident during which the former president and members of his team were shot. Reagan, who was injured during the incident, had reportedly stopped attending church afterward to keep people safe.

“He says … ‘March 30th, 1981. I remember looking out the window of my limousine and seeing people laying in their blood with bullets that were meant for me,’” Michael Reagan recalled. “And he said, ‘I haven’t gone to church at all on a regular basis because [of] my fear of putting people in harm’s way, because people are after me. So … I’m looking to no longer becoming president so I can visit my Lord and Savior every Sunday from now on after I got out of office.’”

Michael Reagan said his father, after getting out of office, “never missed church until Alzheimer’s really kicked in.” Even after that, a preacher would go to his home to speak with him.
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com