2016 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference

The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS), Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego and the University of San Diego hosted the 2016 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference from November 28-29, 2016 at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice.

The primary purpose of the conference was to advance the goals of CMS’s Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative (CIII) which seeks to study, document, and support a growing network of diverse Catholic institutions that are working successfully to advance immigrant integration, empowerment and well-being.

The conference:

• Conveyed the spiritual and theological vision that undergirds the Catholic Church’s work with immigrants;
• Reviewed public policies affecting immigrant integration and academic research on the work of Church institutions with immigrant communities;
• Lifted up model integration programs and ministries; and
• Offered optional field visits to migrant ministries and shelters in San Diego and Tijuana on November 30th.