Catholic Immigrant Integration

Breaking Down Barriers and Welcoming the Stranger: 2019 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference

On March 12 and 13, 2019, 181 representatives of Catholic immigrant-serving organizations from around the country convened at Santa Clara University School of Law to take part in the Center for Migration Studies’s (CMS’s) annual Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference....

A Catholic Reflection on Host Communities

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2, NRSV). As these words from Sacred Scripture indicate, the Judeo-Christian tradition commands the believer to provide a sympathetic welcome...

Address by Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San Jose

On March 12, 2019, Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San Jose, delivered the welcoming keynote at the 2019 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference at Santa Clara Law School in Santa Clara, California. In his remarks, Bishop Cantú considers how the Church has and can deploy its limited resources and implement successful models of integration to better address immigration and better welcome immigrants.

Border Spirituality: ‘Tu eres mi otro yo’

The 2019 Father Lydio F. Tomasi, c.s. Annual Lecture on International Migration was delivered by Msgr. Arturo J. Bañuelas, Pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in El Paso, TX on March 12, 2019 at the sixth national gathering of the Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative in Santa Clara, California.

#BEGOLDEN Campaign

#BEGOLDEN is a powerful initiative that reminds people of the Golden Rule – to treat others as we want to be treated.

Address by Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

On March 13, 2019, Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, delivered a keynote address at the 2019 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference at Santa Clara Law School in Santa Clara, California. In his remarks, Archbishop Cordileone discusses: the Catholic Church’s concern for men, women, and children “on the move”; common themes found throughout the Church’s pastoral vision and the conference goals; immigrant contributions; how changing US immigration and refugee polices are affecting Catholic institutions and integration efforts; and promising and successful programs and ministries with immigrants.

Reflections from the Border: Violence, Caravans, Troops at the Border, and Hope

The last couple of months of 2018 are shaping up to be some very interesting times in Tijuana. Several converging themes lead me to paraphrase the great Charles Dickens: “These are the best of times and these are the worst...

Address by Most Rev. John Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop of Lexington

The Most Reverend John Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop of Lexington, addressed the CMS conference "Promoting Just and Inclusive Communities in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana: A “Whole of Community” Approach to Immigrants and Refugees" in Cincinnati, Ohio from July 16-18, 2018. Bp. Stowe addressed the cruel enforcement actions against immigrants and refugees, the need for comprehensive immigration reform, and the work of local and regional groups to protect and care for the vulnerable populations impacted by harsh government policies.

The Worker/Immigrant Link: America’s Driving Force

Kimball Baker (author of “Go to the Worker”: America’s Labor Apostles) examines the role of immigrants in America’s labor unions and worker centers.

Life at the Border: Celebrating 30 Years of Mission at the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana

2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the Centro Scalabrini – Casa del Migrante, a migrant shelter in Tijuana, Mexico. To commemorate this milestone, the Casa released a book, Vidas en Vilo (Lives in Limbo). In this reflection, Fr. Pat Murphy, c.s., the Casa’s director, describes the publication which recounts the history of the Casa, offers an analysis of social demographics of those being deported through Tijuana, and a collection of testimonies from guests at the Casa (i.e., the deportees, Central Americans in transit, and candidates for political asylum).