Mexico: Costs of immigration enforcement
The U.S. and Mexican governments have not addressed the root causes of the flow of migrants from Central America to the U.S.; rather, they have worked together to stop the flow by force.
Migration
Maryknoll missioners have worked with migrants and people on the move for decades. They have served Burmese refugees in Thailand, Filipino and Thai workers all over Asia, Burundian and Rwandan refugees in East Africa, and have accompanied Guatemalans, who, after years in Mexico, returned home to start anew in a more peaceful country. Our faith compels us to stand in solidarity with migrants.
In the United States, we are profoundly affected by the contribution of migrants in our society, and we have a responsibility to treat them, like all the rest of God’s creation, with dignity and respect. Maryknoll missioners work in ministries serving migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border. In our work on U.S. migration policy, we focus on access to asylum and humanitarian protection, refugee aid and resettlement, and access to citizenship.
Maryknoll Joint Leadership Statements on Migration: Toward Global Solidarity (2006) and Statement on the Migrant Caravan (2018)
Policy Brief: Justice for Immigrants and Refugees in U.S. Policy
Africa: Displacement on the rise
The death and displacement that occurs in the out-migration from Africa and the plight of internally displaced peoples across the continent were the subject of a recent hearing before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations. What emerged in the testimony of several governmental and NGO experts was a picture of tragic human suffering.
Stop U.S. trade with human traffickers
Take action to ensure countries that condone human trafficking are held accountable in trade agreements.
MOGC signs letter to Congress urging the U.S. to welcome Syrian refugees of all faith traditions
In a recent letter to Congress, Gerry Lee of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) and more than 400 religious leaders called on the United States to welcome Syrian refugees from all faith traditions.
Tell President Obama to welcome more Syrian refugees
More than 4 million refugees have fled Syria. This is the largest refugee crisis since World War II. Sign the Petition: Tell President Obama to welcome more refugees.
Pope Francis’ Historic Speech to Congress – Day Three of Papal Visit 2015
September 24, 2015 – Pope Francis made history today by becoming the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress. He spoke of challenges that are complex, grave, and urgent. And he invoked four historical American figures who have shaped our fundamental values. Below are quotes from each topic the pope addressed. You can…
Pope Francis Pictures – Day Two of Papal Visit 2015
September 23, 2015 – Pope Francis attended four events in what proved to be a non-stop day. Two major themes emerged: climate change and immigration. First, the White House. In the morning, the pope delivered remarks at a welcoming ceremony at the White House. He indentified himself with immigrants, and described the urgent need to…
Human trafficking: U.S. upgrades Malaysia
The U.S. Department of State’s 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report has received more than the usual scrutiny due to ongoing negotiations around the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involving the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim nations, and Malaysia’s changing rank on the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) compliance list, compiled by the State Department.
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Fr. Mike Gilgannon, who served in Peru, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
July 30-Aug. 6: National Call-in Days to White House
Justice for Immigrants asks everyone to call the White House between July 30-Aug. 6 (date extended!) and urge that it not appeal a July 24 ruling to release detained families.
Religious groups oppose State Department’s upgrade of Malaysia’s trafficking status
Maryknoll and 13 other religious organizations sent a letter to members of a Congressional conference committee to express deep moral concerns related to H.R. 644, the “Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015” (also referred to as the Customs bill), particularly that the final bill could weaken strong anti-trafficking provision in the trade promotion authority bill signed into law June 29.
Trade: Human rights violations by TPP nations
Public Citizen released this press release on the occasion of the publication of the State Department’s annual human rights report on June 25.
Myanmar: Rohingya face discrimination, exploitation
The recent surge of 4,000 Rohingya migrants that fled Myanmar and Bangladesh in April and May illustrates a story rooted in discrimination and ostracism based on anti-Muslim bias that permeates the Buddhist-majority nation of Myanmar.
Justice for Immigrants National Convening
SAVE THE DATE! U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops/Justice for Immigrants National Convening
Eliminate detention bed quota for immigrants
The U.S. has the largest immigration detention infrastructure in the world. The expansion of this system in recent years is partly due to the immigration detention bed quota, policy passed by Congress under which 34,000 immigrants are held in ICE detention at any given time: “. . . funding made available under this heading shall maintain a level of not less than 34,000 detention beds.” This policy is unprecedented; no other law enforcement agency operates on a quota system.
Prayer vigil to end family detention
This interfaith vigil will be held as a sign of our solidarity with the hundreds of mothers and children from Central America who are being detained in Texas and Pennsylvania. We will gather to urge President Obama to close all family detention facilities and end this inhumane practice.
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Sr. Carol Marie McDonald serves as a missioner in Central America, most recently in El Salvador.
Tell ICE: Release mothers on hunger strike at ICE detention center
Women held in a Texas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prison work for $3/day, their children’s health is deteriorating, and many haven’t been given the opportunity to post a reasonable bond for their release.