The recent synodal process has encouraged Catholics to engage in a Culture of Encounter, which entails deep listening. With an open heart, this deep listening allows us to receive the hopes and aspirations, pains and struggles, of our brothers and sisters seeking justice. In response, we commit to accompany these communities and invite you to join us for a day of camaraderie, listening, learning, and action in our struggle for justice for immigrants. We’ll have opportunities to hear from immigrant communities, get updates on current immigration issues, and celebrate our diverse traditions. Specific workshops will address mental health, advocacy, legal issues, and refugee sponsorship. The day will conclude with participation in an interfaith and ecumenical townhall (more info to come!)
Free will donations are welcomed to help offset the cost of food, stipends and parking (suggested donation $10)
On the registration form, you will be asked to choose a morning and afternoon workshop; here are the workshop titles and descriptions.
Morning Workshop Sessions:
Session 1 - Voices of Impacted Communities
Description: Join us as we engage in a discussion about the strengths, joys, and challenges facing DACA recipients, Afghan refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrant farmworkers.
Presenter: Kati Ortiz
Session 2 - Understanding and Supporting the Legal Needs of Immigrant Communities
Description: This presentation will provide attendees with a basic understanding of the structure of US immigration system and how it functions. We will also discuss immigration status and why it’s important for immigrants to find trusted legal service providers to assist with their immigration needs.
Presenters: Nicole Peger, Senior Staff Attorney- Catholic Immigration Legal Services and Alissa Baier, Staff Attorney- Catholic Immigration Legal Services
Session 3 - Current Immigration Issues
Description: Learn about current issues and trends in immigration, and how we can respond in ways that are grounded in our faith and Catholic Social Teaching. This session is for attendees looking for an overview of immigration issues and current trends, how they intersect and are related, and ways to discuss these issues with family and friends.
Presenter: Chris Koehler, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, Archdiocese of Seattle, Director of St. James Cathedral Immigrant Assistance
Afternoon Workshop Sessions:
Session 1 – Catholic Advocacy
Description: Catholics are called to advocate for the common good. Learn about advocating for legislative priorities based on Catholic Social Teaching.
Presenter: Mario Villanueva, Executive Director of the Washington State Catholic Conference
Session 2 - Community Refugee Sponsorship
Description: Panel presentation and discussion with agencies and organizations helping to resettle refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Come learn about their work, how they support sponsor circles, and what you need to know to connect effectively with them.
Presenter: Chris Koehler, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, Archdiocese of Seattle, Director of St. James Cathedral Immigrant Assistance
Session 3 – Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Latino Community (will be presented in Spanish )
A conversation about how to respond to gaps in knowledge regarding mental health and access to care in ways that are responsive to the linguistic, cultural and literacy needs of Latinos in Washington State.
Giselle will share about the conception of Fortaleciendo mi Mundo Interior (Strenghtening my Inner World), an innovative and culturally responsive program implemented during the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenter: Giselle Cárcamo, MSW, Justice for Women Coordinator, IPJC
¡Únase a nosotros a la Sexta Conferencia Anual de Inmigración: Católicos Comprometidos con la Justicia para Inmigrantes!
El reciente proceso sinodal ha alentado a los católicos a participar en la Cultura del Encuentro, la cual implica escuchar profundamente. Con el corazón abierto, escuchar profundamente nos permite acoger las esperanzas y aspiraciones, los dolores y las luchas de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en busca de justicia. En respuesta, nos comprometemos a acompañar a estas comunidades y lo invitamos a unirse a nosotros en un día de camaradería, escucha, aprendizaje y acción en nuestra lucha por la justicia para los inmigrantes. Tendremos la oportunidad de escuchar a comunidades de inmigrantes, obtener actualizaciones sobre temas de inmigración actuales y celebrar nuestras diversas tradiciones. Los talleres específicos abordarán: salud mental, abogacía, asuntos legales y el patrocinio de refugiados. El día concluirá con la participación en un ayuntamiento interreligioso y ecuménico (¡más información próximamente!)
Las donaciones voluntarias son bienvenidas para ayudar a compensar el costo de los alimentos, los honorarios y el estacionamiento (donación sugerida de $10)
En el formulario de registro, se le pedirá que elija un taller en la mañana y uno en la tarde. Aquí están los títulos y descripciones de los talleres.
Sesiones de talleres en la mañana:
Sesión 1 - Voces de las comunidades afectadas
Descripción: Únase a nosotros mientras participamos en una discusión sobre las fortalezas, las alegrías y los desafíos que enfrentan los beneficiarios de DACA, los refugiados afganos, aquellos quienes estan en búsqueda de asilo y los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes.
Presentadora: Kati Ortiz
Sesión 2 - Comprender y apoyar las necesidades legales de las comunidades inmigrantes
Descripción: Esta presentación brindará a los asistentes una comprensión básica de la estructura del sistema de inmigración de EE. UU. y cómo funciona. También discutiremos el estado migratorio y por qué es importante que los inmigrantes encuentren proveedores de servicios legales confiables para ayudarlos con sus necesidades relacionadas con inmigración.
Presentadores: Nicole Peger, abogada - Servicios Legales de Inmigración Católica, y Alissa Baier, abogada - Servicios Legales de Inmigración Católica
Sesión 3 - Temas Actuales de Inmigración
Descripción: Aprenda sobre los problemas y las tendencias actuales sobre inmigración y cómo podemos responder de maneras que estén basadas en nuestra fe y en la Enseñanza Social Católica. Esta sesión es para los asistentes que buscan una descripción general de los problemas de inmigración y las tendencias actuales, cómo se cruzan y se relacionan, y las formas de discutir estos temas con familiares y amigos.
Presentador: Chris Koehler, Director del Ministerio con Inmigrantes y Refugiados, Arquidiócesis de Seattle, Director de Asistencia a Inmigrantes de la Catedral de St. James
Sesiones de talleres en la tarde:
Sesión 1 – Abogacía – WSCC
Descripción: Los católicos están llamados a abogar por el bien común. Aprende a abogar por prioridades legislativas basadas en la Doctrina Social Católica.
Presentador: Mario Villanueva, Director Ejecutivo de la Conferencia Católica del Estado de Washington
Sesión 2 - Patrocinio comunitario para refugiados
Descripción: Presentación del panel y discusión con agencias y organizaciones que ayudan a refugiados de Afganistán y Ucrania a restablecerse. Aprenda sobre su trabajo de estas organiaciones, cómo estas apoyan los círculos de patrocinadores y lo que usted necesita saber para conectarse de manera efectiva con ellos.
Presentador: Chris Koehler, Director del Ministerio con Inmigrantes y Refugiados, Arquidiócesis de Seattle, Director de Asistencia a Inmigrantes de la Catedral de St. James
Sesión 3 – Salud Mental & Bienestar en la Comunidad Latina (será presentada en español)
Una conversación sobre cómo responder a las brechas existentes en el conocimiento sobre la salud mental y el acceso a la atención a los servicios de salud mental de manera que responda a las necesidades lingüísticas, culturales y de alfabetización de los latinos en el estado de Washington.
Giselle Cárcamo compartirá su experiencia durante la concepción de Fortaleciendo mi Mundo Interior, un programa innovador y culturalmente receptivo implementado durante los primeros seis meses de la pandemia de COVID- 19.
Presentadora: Giselle Cárcamo, MSW, Coordinadora de Justicia para Mujeres, IPJC
The following list of resources is a work-in-progress. If you have an organization you suggest be included, please email ICTC@seattleu.edu.
In the midst of this pandemic, we are working hard to maintain services to refugees and immigrants. Citizenship interviews may be on hold, but staff are busy helping clients (remotely) to prepare applications and tutors are helping them study for their interviews. ESL tutoring pairs continue to meet via Zoom, Skype, and other apps. Our elder clients are more isolated than ever, but staff keep in touch with them regularly and share crucial information about health, financial, and other support. So much has changed in the past few months, but our volunteers and staff are not going to stop working to make the world a better place for all of us, and a place where immigrants are valued, celebrated, and supported. Find out what we are up to in each of our programs. Visit our website for more information including resources for immigrants.
NWIRP's legal services are critical to helping thousands of immigrants in Washington State navigate the complexities of the United States immigration system so they can apply for asylum or other forms of immigration protection. Without appropriate legal assistance, the men, women, and children served by NWIRP may be less likely to obtain legal immigration status, and more likely to be returned to a country where they face ill-treatment, torture, or even death. Access to NWIRP's services can also be a major factor in providing economic and personal security. Without legal support, our clients are often unable to access medical assistance, housing, or other basic services, and many of them are afraid to call the police for protection from domestic violence or other crimes.
Archdiocese of Seattle – Immigrant & Refugee Ministry: Grounded by our belief in Jesus Christ and Catholic teaching, Immigrant & Refugee Ministry fulfills the commitment of the U.S. Catholic bishops to protect the life and dignity of the human person. We serve and advocate for immigrants, refugees, asylees, migrants, unaccompanied children, and victims of human trafficking.
Get Involved: http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/Ethnic/PC/Immigrant.aspx
The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center's Justice for Women program:
WSCC SUPPORTS:
Learn More: https://wacatholics.org/immigration-support
Catholic Immigration Legal Services (CILS) provides quality legal immigration assistance to low-income residents of Washington. Currently, CILS provides free citizenship/N-400 application assistance to people who are currently on public benefits or living in the city of Seattle. CILS has two office locations: Seattle and Mt. Vernon.
In 2004, the Catholic bishops of the United States committed to immigration reform as a priority of the U.S. Catholic Church, and to creating a culture of welcome in which all migrants are treated with respect and dignity. A diverse group of Catholic organizations with national networks joined the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign (JFI) in an effort to unite and mobilize a growing network of Catholic institutions, individuals, and other persons of goodwill in support of immigration reform. You can sign up for JFI’s emails regarding the latest news and events on the bottom of their homepage: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/
Embracing the Gospel value of welcoming the stranger, CLINIC promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs. The network includes faith-based institutions, farmworker programs, domestic violence shelters, ethnic community-focused organizations, libraries and other entities that serve immigrants. CLINIC offers several series of emails to keep you informed about immigration news, as well as new opportunities, resources, and programs, sign up here: https://cliniclegal.org/email
An interactive education program for teachers sponsored by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. https://discoveryourneighbor.org/past-guides/
While scouring the Sonoran Desert for objects left behind by migrants crossing into the United States, anthropologist Jason De León happened upon something he didn't expect to get left behind: a human arm, stripped of flesh. This macabre discovery sent him reeling, needing to know what exactly happened to the body, and how many migrants die that way in the wilderness. In researching border-crosser deaths in the Arizona desert, he noticed something surprising. Sometime in the late-1990s, the number of migrant deaths shot up dramatically and have stayed high since. Jason traced this increase to a Border Patrol policy still in effect, called “Prevention Through Deterrence.” Over three episodes, Radiolab will investigate this policy, its surprising origins, and the people whose lives were changed forever because of it. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/projects/border-trilogy
Living Undocumented is a 2019 Netflix documentary series co-directed by Aaron Saidman and Anna Chai and executive produced by Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefey, Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman, Sean O’Grady and Anna Chai. The series documents eight undocumented immigrant families living in the United States. It was released on October 2, 2019. According to an op-ed written by Gomez for Time on October 1, 2019, Gomez said she was approached about the project in 2017 and decided to become involved after watching footage that captured "the shame, uncertainty, and fear I saw my own family struggle with. But it also captured the hope, optimism, and patriotism so many undocumented immigrants still hold in their hearts despite the hell they go through.” https://www.netflix.com/title/80209609
Farmworkers in California's Coachella Valley often face extreme heat and contact with dangerous pesticides. Now they're also facing the threat of deportation. We went there to see their plight firsthand.