Welcome the Stranger: Fighting for Human Dignity

During the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis invites us to "Build the Future with Migrants and Refugees." We join in solidarity with our local Catholic organziations that serve migrants every single day.

Casa Alitas works in the U.S. to receive asylum seekers approved by the government. They assist in relocating asylum seekers across the country where they have family members sponsoring and awaiting them.

Kino Border Initiative is a bi-national organization based in Nogales, Mexico. They receive migrants from every country south of our border. KBI's shelter coordinator, Sister Josefina “Pina” Bejarano Padilla shares, "We see each person as a whole person. We want them to feel seen as an individual, to feel valued. We want them to know their worth.”

We are all called to serve those in need. Jesus stated this very clearly in Matthew 25. Christ himself is present in every person, and in particularly those in need.

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me. Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Mt 25: 35-36, 40).

Organizations like Casa Alitas and Kino Border Initiative do this every single day. Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Clothe the naked. Care for the sick. Welcome the stranger. 

Immigration is a complex issue, however it's tempting to belittle it to just a political issue. A country does have the right to secure borders and must determine how many migrants the country can accommodate. Every person has the right to provide for their family, to seek asylum when their home region becomes dangerous, and to be treated with dignity and respect. 

Fundamentally, immigration is about human rights and the dignity of our brothers and sisters in need. Human dignity must be maintained, regardless of political polarization.

Simply visiting Casa Alitas or Kino Border Initiative will help you to look into the eyes of the "stranger" and to see that they are not so different from yourself, with similar hopes and fears. For now, we invite you to watch this short video which is a window into the daily lives of the migrants, volunteers, Jesuits, and religious sisters at Kino Border Initiative.