Immigration
We are working to hold sacred the dignity of each person, regardless of origin.
Among other efforts, we call on all elected officials to work together to enact comprehensive immigration reform.
We're committed to advocating for all people on the move.
Coulee Region Immigration Summit
At the Coulee Region Immigration Summit, a room packed with people learned to rewrite the story about migrancy. People in migration are not merely “others” — foreigners on the run, escaping unimaginable humanitarian crisis, with no similarities to those in the audience — but people on the move who have traditions and families and histories — just like event attendees. People in migration are people with dignity. The summit, held at the La Crosse Public Library, July 15 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, featured Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Eileen McKenzie of Kino Border Initiative, an organization missioned to “work with one foot on each side of the Mexico border in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico,” striving to “respond to the most critical needs by respecting the God-given dignity of the human person and by fostering bi-national solidarity through humanitarian assistance, education and research/advocacy.”
Sister Eileen shared that “We need to be conscious of how we speak,” about migration. The stories we typically hear and see are dehumanizing, and repeating them only reinforces negative perceptions. Instead society should be listening to their personal stories about life, lifting up the resiliency and faith of people experiencing forced migration with their children, their parents, their family members. Watch Sister Eileen's worship in the video below.
How Narrative Drives Change
How Narrative Drives Change is a 75-minute workshop that engages viewers with examples of how our language--our words--matter. The presenters share their own learnings and how they model their learning and "focus on language of shared values, opportunity and possibility." Practical examples are shared throughout the presentation that show viewers the importance of focusing on people instead of numbers and disconnected facts. This was cosponsored by Communicators for Women Religious and Kino Border Initiative.
Sister Eileen McKenzie: Group's work highlights dignity, rights of immigrants
The following appeared in the La Crosse Tribune, April 6, 2024, Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I am concerned about anti-immigrant rhetoric (Trump’s immigration rhetoric resonates with some Democrats, April 1, 2024). It's worrisome how false accusations can gain traction. No one person, group or nationality “poisons the blood” of any country or state.
Our immigration system is in need of serious reform and the reasons people migrate need to be taken into account. 16 percent of our national population are immigrants, and more people are seeking protection from violence through asylum.* I work with families at the Arizona border who are simply looking for a safe place to live, build a home and raise their children; something that many of us born in the U.S. might take for granted.
I understand the concern that immigration can strain already underserved communities. However, we need to recognize that newly arriving immigrants grow the economy and pay taxes. For each 1,000 workers, it is predicted that initial tax revenues increase by $2.5 million.* A recent study from the US office of Health and Human Services found that over the last 15 years, refugees have contributed $123.8 billion more than what they cost the government.
I feel hopeful when I learn of the work of the Coulee Region Immigration Task Force, which highlights the dignity, potential and rights of people who migrate into the area. Their efforts show that La Crosse residents want to build space to welcome others. Let’s continue to follow their lead.
Sister Eileen McKenzie, FSPA
*Source: Immigration Research Initiative
Christmas at the Border
Sister Eileen McKenzie currently serves as mobilization specialist with the Kino Border Initiative, a bi-national, inclusive Roman Catholic organization whose vision is migration with dignity. In this Messy Jesus Business blog post, Sister Eileen shares her experience now being "... centered in Ambos Nogales — “Both Nogales” — a place that refers to two distinct national cities: Nogales, Arizona, United States of America, and Nogales, Sonora, United States of Mexico. In 1898 a telephone line marked the international border between these two countries. Families were living on both sides: moving freely, working, trading and most likely not giving much thought to the future of the emerging geo-political reality that is currently demarcated by a controversial 30-foot wall." Read Sister Eileen's full reflection: Christmas at the Border.
Photo taken during KBI's Posadas Navideñas, Dec. 16, 2023
Perspectives
People are fleeing humanitarian crisis in their home countries only to be barred from asylum by hundreds of miles of barbed wire and red tape. The FSPA Encuentro@theBorder Team is missioned to honor the sacredness and dignity of these people, to call for
comprehensive immigration reform and to join in the work of others to enact change. Storytelling is a powerful tool; here are three we hope contribute to social change.
Restoring Asylum & Dignity for Immigrants
July 2023
Our collaborators at NETWORK call for action! The Restoring Asylum and Dignity for Immigrants webinar makes it clear — our country needs a well-funded, law-abiding asylum process that respects people seeking a new life in the U.S. All immigrants deserve dignity — no exceptions!
Take Action
Catholic justice-seekers, we are collecting 10,000 signatures to let Congress know that NOW is time to invest in better, equitable immigration policy. Sign on here.
Immigration 101 Update
Ronnate Asirwatham, government relations director and lead lobbyist on immigration for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, was a guest at the September 2022 FSPA Encuentro@TheBorder presentation. Ronnate updated attendees on her Immigration 101 series. She provided information on how the midterm election will impact immigration.
Sharing border experiences
Hand in Hand, Welcoming Migrants at the Border, features Joanna Williams, executive director of the Kino Border Initiative. Joanna shares the joys and challenges she encounters while serving thousands of migrants who are deported to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, or arrive fleeing Central America.
Sister Norma Pimentel has been the face of compassion and care for more than 100,000 immigrants along the Texas-Mexico border. During this presentation hosted by the FSPA Encuentro@TheBorderTeam, she shares what she sees on a daily basis at the border. “Encuentro at the border is so important,” shared Sister Norma. “It is important that we really make that encounter with others, especially those who are hurting and suffering; it is only then that we will truly encounter Jesus. It’s so clear for me that God’s presence is there; it is his plan that we don’t overlook these families at the border. He wants us to be there, to be present, to encounter.”
In 2021, Sisters Rose Elsbernd, Kristin Peters and Theresa Keller, with then FSPA Justice & Peace Promoter Pat Ruda, ministered at Tuscon's Casa Alitas and with Kino Border Initiative in Nogales. Watch their story below.
Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on migration, racism and climate
How can we show compassion without borders and love without boundaries? What does it take to navigate legal systems to become a citizen of a different country? What are the root causes of inequity for those who migrate? Watch this episode of Exploring Intersections featuring a conversation about migration.
Franciscan Sisters Deepen Into Migration Issues
"The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Encuentro@The Border group grew from FSPA’s 2017 support of immigration as an issue for the congregation to explore. 'Instead of focusing merely on the meaning of “meet,” we chose to educate ourselves as to the deeper significance of immigration issues, namely the needs of people who could no longer remain in their homes and countries.'"
The Encuentro@the Border group will increase collaboration with four partner organizations:
- Coulee Region Immigration Task Force: FSPA will invest to develop support to migrant families in Trempealeau County.
- La 72 Migrant Shelter, State of Tabasco, Mexico: FSPA will invest to support immediate needs of migrants at the southern Mexico border during the COVID crisis and legal efforts for those seeking asylum.
- KINO Border Initiative Arizona: FSPA will invest for their ministry at the border (both sides), including immediate legal orientation for asylum seekers and supporting network organizations.
- Catholic Charities, Brownsville, Texas: FSPA will invest for their ministry at the border (both sides), including meeting immediate and short term needs, legal assistance, their “field hospital” and tent city (Matamoros), and facilitation of migrants becoming Mexican citizens in light of the current U.S. migrant stance. We have been asked to consider some assistance for mothers with teen daughters in the tent city. The teen girls can easily become victims of sexual violence and/or human trafficking. Catholic Charities of Brownsville is looking to move the mothers and daughters into apartments in Matamoros.
Get Involved
Coulee Region Immigration Task Force
Coulee Region Immigration Task Force welcomes, advocates, and educates in the service of new, recent, and established immigrants in the Wisconsin's Coulee Region. Learn more about and volunteer with Coulee Region Immigration Task Force.
Centro Latino, La Crosse, Wisconsin
The task force welcomes La Crosse, Wisconsin's Latino population to Centro Latino located inside First Baptist Church, 1209 Main Street. Centro Latino offers free English as a second language classes as well as a welcoming space where hospitality, support and compassionate presence are extended to the Latino community. For more information, email centrolatinolacrosse@gmail.com.
About the Artwork
Annemarie Erb Barrett created the original watercolor pictured at the top of this page as an expression of "dignity and respect" for all. FSPA commissioned Annemarie to create this for the cover of Perspectives magazine.