Welcome to a New Era of The Preamble

Where good people come to understand what’s happening — and remember that being informed is an act of hope

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the new Preamble.

You’ve found your way here because you’re tired of being shouted at — endlessly — and still not knowing what to believe. You want to understand what’s happening in the world without losing heart in the process.

That’s exactly why we built this.

Each week, our team digs into one subject — chosen by you — and asks the questions that actually matter. What’s true? How did we get here? And what does it say about us?

This week, we begin with immigration.

“The Silent Sentinel” traces how the Statue of Liberty’s promise was forged, forgotten, and is now tested again. What does Lady Liberty mean today?

Then, you’ll see how that promise has evolved — where it’s been strengthened and where it’s eroded.

• “The Making of ICE” shows how a post-9/11 agency built for security became a political instrument for presidents from both parties.
  

• “From Allies to Targets” highlights how Afghans who risked their lives to help US forces were promised refuge. Now they’re being detained, deported, and abandoned by the country they served.
  

• In “The Unseen Work of Keeping Families Together,” three immigration lawyers open their calendars to reveal what justice looks like in practice: long days, impossible paperwork, and the quiet victories that keep loved ones near.
  

• “The Theater of Control” compares how five democracies enforce immigration — and what our own choices reveal about power, law, and performance.
  

• “Eight Charts That Explain the Immigration Debate” grounds it all in data: who’s here, how enforcement works, and what Americans really think about it.

We have letters from our readers — a doctor, a student, and more — products we love, things that are worth passing on, and, for our paid subscribers, downloadable guides and resources.

The Preamble exists to help good people understand what’s happening without losing heart. We tell the stories behind the headlines so you can see the whole picture — and remember that being informed is an act of hope, not exhaustion.

If this work helps you see a little more clearly, share it. Tell a friend that there’s a place where context still matters. And if you want to help keep this project independent, become a paid subscriber — your support keeps the light on.

We’re so glad you’re here. The story of America isn’t finished yet. And you get to help write it.

With facts, context, and hope,
Sharon McMahon, Editor-in-Chief

P.S. Our paid subscribers get to help suggest and select the topics we cover. Where shall we go next? Leave your answer in the comments, and we’ll put some of the top suggestions to a vote!