Vonetta Edwards, Committee Co-Chair
Shari Shea, Committee Co-Chair
Mission
The Immigration Committee was formed by parishioners concerned about the injustices faced by immigrant, refugee and asylee families and individuals. Today’s immigrants leave their home countries because of intense violence, lack of opportunity, economic or legal injustices and persecution due to religion, gender, sexual orientation or political affiliation. We feel called by the Gospel and guided by Catholic Social Teaching to welcome the stranger by seeing in the immigrant the face of Christ. America is a country built by immigrants, most of us need to look back only one or two generations to discover our own immigrant ancestors.
The goals of the Immigration Committee are to assist parishioners to:
- Learn about immigration and the Church’s position on the issue through reading, research, and discussion
- Organize activities to raise awareness of issues facing immigrants
- Identify ways to serve immigrant children and adults in Baltimore in collaboration with local organizations who support them
- Advocate on behalf of immigrants for legislative change by engaging elected officials through petitions, lobbying, and outreach
- Care for the spiritual well-being of immigrant children and adults through prayer, vigils, and other spiritual ministries.
Meetings
2nd Thursday of the month at 6 PM
- Ignatian Hall
Next Meetings
Media Watch
Take Action by March 22 to Prevent Cuts to Refugee Assistance
Congress faces a March 22nd deadline to pass critical funding bills to avert a government shutdown. These funding bills include lifesaving assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of those arriving at our borders and millions of displaced persons overseas. Due to continued inaction by Congress, many essential U.S. humanitarian programs—both foreign and domestic—remain in limbo.
Make Your Voice Heard
Please let President Biden and his administration know you strongly support temporary protective status (TPS) for immigrants from Nicaragua, Nepal, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala by signing this petition from CASA. Since 1990, temporary protected status (TPS) has allowed migrants from countries with unsafe conditions to reside and work legally
Virtual Pilgrimage of Mother Mary Lange
February 26 @ 1:00 pm – 3pm “…Mother Lange’s love for all enabled her to see Christ in each person and the pain and prejudice of racial hatred never blurred that vision.” Come join St. Ignatius, the Racial Justice Circle and the Pastorate of St. Ann, St. Francis Xavier and
Advocacy
Take Action by March 22 to Prevent Cuts to Refugee Assistance
Congress faces a March 22nd deadline to pass critical funding bills to avert a government shutdown. These funding bills include lifesaving assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of those arriving at our borders and millions of displaced persons overseas. Due to continued inaction by Congress, many essential U.S. humanitarian programs—both foreign and domestic—remain in limbo.
Afghan Refugee Resettlement Project Update
by Shari Shea, Immigration Committee Co-Chair The St. Ignatius Justice & Peace Committee is partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Baltimore Office to furnish apartments for new American families through our Afghan Refugee Resettlement Project. This project was initially conceived in collaboration with Catholic Charities and other Catholic parishes
Immigrants and Refugees – Discussion and Prayer
The Immigration subcommittee of the Justice & Peace Committee consists of a passionate cohort of parishioners and volunteers compelled to answer Pope Francis’ call to encounter and walk with migrants and refugees in support and solidarity. The Immigration subcommittee’s focus is to have parishioners encounter and accompany immigrants and refugees
How to Help Afghan Refugees
The decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan has raised concerns about the human rights and safety of women and girls, as well as the safe migration of Afghan allies out of the country.The consequences of the withdrawal have hit close to our St. Ignatius community. One of our parishioners
Crisis Response: Afghanistan and Haiti
Amidst the conflict and crisis in Afghanistan, JRS/USA has launched an advocacy effort calling on all world governments to provide welcome and protection for Afghan refugees. You can see JRS/USA’s statement to the Biden Administration and Congress to ensure that Afghans seeking refuge can seek protection and write your elected leaders. JRS/USA