Reflections on Ignatian Family Teach-In on Immigration

March 7-9, 2008 at Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA

by
Ana Grande

Project Director for Power PAC, Advocacy Chair for ¡Adelante!, and Graduate Student at Mount St. Mary College, Los Angeles, CA

At the Ignatian Family Teach-In on Immigration held March 7th-9th, I felt at the foot of the cross. Moved by the several talks, statistics, and discussions I pondered how much can we, the non-immigrants, feel. At the foot of the cross we are not crucified. As a non-immigrant, we are not denied a driver’s license nor are we persecuted with deportation. Our work is not denied due to legal status nor is it interrupted by an ICE raid. At the foot of the cross, we are there to console, be in solidarity, but also to stop the taunting, inhumane actions toward those crucified.

Immigrants come in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities. The southern border is not the only means of entering this great nation but the need to stay has been designed by the globalization of our very nation. With immigrants, are their children, children who have been brought up in our society – eating hot dogs as they would pansit. As students they have excelled in academics, admitted in Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley and all other fine institutions. Yet, as undocumented students they are not given financial assistance. Some students take five to six years to finish their undergraduate degree. What’s worst is that upon graduation, they cannot work due to their pending immigration status.

Hanging on a fine thread is the California economy that could well be served by the new teachers, engineers, science, and business graduates. Unfortunately, our nation nor our state has done much to reform the current immigration policy. As Catholics we are called to see the “signs of the time” and to act upon them as Jesus would. What have we done for our immigrant brothers and sisters at our parish? Have we neglected them? Offended them? Or been a good Samaritan? Are we standing at the foot of the cross or are we adding to the wounds of Christ?

Through the teach-in, my faith was re-ignited by the desire of all those around me to ACT. To hear the stories of border crossings, detaining, cultural embracing, or the desire to see their country of origin is heart-felt but not lived. As a Church we are called to be one around the Lord’s table, to be one around the suffering of the marginalized. Let’s act at the foot of the cross.

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