National Migration Week is January 6-12, 2019. For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated this week as an opportunity to reflect on the circumstances confronting immigrants, refugees, children, and victims of human trafficking.
Currently a large number of migrants, particularly migrant families, are being received daily at various points along the U.S./Mexico border. During Fiscal Year 2018, the number of arriving family units increased to roughly 107,000 members, up from 76,000 in Fiscal Year 2017.
A large number of family units arriving and seeking asylum are released upon processing by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The parents of the family units are generally given an ankle monitor and a “Notice to Appear” for immigration court as well as a date for an appointment or “check-in” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in their final destination city. A majority of these families are not detained.
DHS releases large numbers of families to reception shelters located along the U.S./Mexico border, including Catholic reception centers. The three largest Catholic service providers are the following:
El Paso-Annunciation House with support from the El Paso diocese and other religious organizations;
McAllen-Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley with support from the Brownsville diocese; and
Tucson and Yuma-Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona with support from the Tucson diocese and other religious organizations.
It is very likely that large numbers of families will continue to arrive, so there will be a continuing need for humanitarian assistance at these centers. A good way to support them is for volunteers to spend a minimum of one week at the Catholic reception centers in the border dioceses.
If you would like to volunteer to assist the El Paso Diocese, please contact Marco Raposo, [email protected].
To volunteer to assist the Brownsville Diocese, please contact Michelle Nunez, [email protected].
Please pray for those who carry out this corporal work of mercy, which is a direct response to the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:31-46.
In the joy of Christ’s service,
Bishop Michael J. Sis
Bishop of San Angelo