More than 160 people gathered in solidarity with those affected by the current immigration system, seeking to bring awareness to the issue during a May 3 event at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.
Hosted by the Catholic Racial Justice Coalition (CRJC), the Accompanying Migrants and Immigrants In Our Times event invited attendees to meet in small groups. A panel speaker expressed anxiety about potential deportation of undocumented immigrants. Many attendees spoke of the “familia sagrada” — an idea that family is sacred, and family members should not be separated through deportation.
As the event’s keynote speaker, Vicar for Latino Ministries, Bishop Kevin Kenney offered a voice for the many who either did not attend or remained anonymous for fear of repercussions.
“The majority of our immigrants today are Christians,” Bishop Kenney said. “Many are Catholics. Many sit in the churches with us. Many sit in the pews next to us. … There are many others who live in fear, and that is the biggest thing today. How do we alleviate the fear?”
Some of those at the gathering spoke about their fears of deportation, either for themselves or for their children and grandchildren. Regarding Pope Francis’ comments on the United States’ immigration policy, Bishop Kenney said the late pope encouraged the country to open its doors, and to keep them open.
“Do we dare reach out and help our neighbor?” Bishop Kenney asked. “It’s a lifetime of learning. It’s not just something we can come here for 15 minutes and take about half a day to talk about.”
One of the panel’s three speakers was Kirk Postotnik, the intake and scheduling coordinator for a network of St. Mary’s Health Clinics based in St. Paul— about 98% of the clinics’ patients are Latinos. “How do we treat people coming from other lands to join us as neighbors here in this country? Do we treat them with as much warmth and hospitality?” Postotnik asked.
Steve Kraemer, executive director of Conversations with Friends, explained that 282 people in Minnesota were in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention in April, in three detention centers in the state. Immigrants in detention facilities wear jumpsuits and are treated like criminals, he said.
“In two of those three facilities, there’s no fresh air opportunity, there are no windows, there are no opportunities to go outside. Medical care is slow if it even exists,” Kraemer said. “The food is jail food. You’re treated like a prisoner. … Our mission is to visit and support people in immigration detention in Minnesota. And while we do that, we are supporting, we’re encouraging, we’re affirming, we’re advocating through our peaceful and compassionate presence. The bottom line is to let folks know that they’re not alone, that they’re not abandoned, that there are actually folks in the community that truly care about them.”
Conversations with Friends, represented by Kraemer, was among eight organizations at the gathering that offered services to the immigrant community. Others included the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Immigrant Defense Network, Immigration Law Center, International Institute of Minnesota, Unidos Minnesota, St. Mary’s Health Clinic and Advocates for Human Rights.
The day included a gathering song in Spanish and English, “Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo,” translated to “We Are the Body of Christ” in English. In addition to group conversations, those present prayed the Litany of Detainees, and to end the day, celebrated a bilingual Mass with Bishop Kenney presiding.
