OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“May these migrants meet brothers and sisters under every sky, who share with them the bread and hope of the common path.” (Pope Francis)
Our Holy Father often calls us to reflect on how we can encounter Christ by walking with migrants on our shared journey of life. Pope Francis said, “Migrants are often able to enrich their new environments by offering their professional skills, their social and cultural heritage and their witness of faith — which can bring a new energy and life to communities of ancient and Christian tradition, and invite others to encounter Christ and to come to know the Church.”
Thus, this is a vital part of our faith’s shared blessing and kuleana.
Recently, the Office for Social Ministry hosted a gathering of 15 public and private organizations to talk story about immigration rights and citizenship. On Aug. 9, Unite Local 5 union organized the meeting of 40 people representing a range of groups that included Catholic parishes, Protestant churches, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Law School, Volunteer Legal Services, and the ACLU.
Other organizations such as Micronesians from We Are Oceania and Partners in Development, Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE), Aloha Immigration and Aloha Dream Team were also part of the conversation. Joining them was Hawaii congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and her staff.
The topics discussed included the plight of immigrants in general and the experience of migrants here in Hawaii and what we can do to accompany them on our journey together.
Many in the diverse group shared stories of their own to help identify challenges facing migrants today.
A nun working with Catholic Charities shared her own experiences as an immigrant from Mexico who came to the United States, secured a green card, taught in schools, and eventually became a U.S. citizen. She is now working for the rights of other immigrants to achieve citizenship.
Young migrants from Micronesia shared their challenges of being promised certain services by the United States through a Compact of Free Association agreement with our country, only to discover that those services have been eliminated or severely reduced. They voiced concern for their people back home who continue to fulfill their responsibilities under the compact but are being forced to migrate because they are losing their land to climate change.
Lawyers spoke about clients, including legal permanent residents, who once dreamed of citizenship but are now afraid to apply because they live in fear of deportation, job loss and family separation. Out of some 9 million legal permanent residents in the United States, about 55,000 live in Hawaii.
Many discussed possible solutions such as offering free English and citizenship classes, collaborating with faith-based and non-profit organizations to increase the capacity of legal services for migrants and working with local unions to assist migrant workers in applying and preparing for citizenship.
Becoming a U.S. citizen will give migrants the right to vote, the right to petition their families to reunite with them in the U.S., and the right to apply for a myriad of jobs that require citizenship. Most importantly, they will be protected against immigration raids and deportation.
The Catholic Church has a long illustrious history of assisting immigrants, migrants and refugees to attain citizenship. If you are interested in being part of that history of the church accompanying the journey of migrants and immigrants today, please contact Catholic Charities Hawaii, 524-4673, or the Office for Social Ministry, 203-6734. Stay tuned for more in the Talk Story column from Pope Francis on how we can encounter Christ and share bread and hope with our brother and sister migrants around the world!
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office
for Social Ministry
