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Caring for Our Brothers and Sisters
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June 3, 2024It is a common question to be asked, “What is your heritage?”
The United States is often described as a country rooted in immigration. For generations, people have arrived in the United States pursuing a better life, often fleeing natural disaster or political and economic conflict. This remains true today. It is also important to understand the difference between an immigrant and a refugee. An immigrant is a person who intends to live permanently in a new country, often pursuing a better life. A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their country because of persecution, war or violence.
At a prayer service in October 2023, Pope Francis stated, “The Gospel calls Christians to be neighbors to all the wayfarers of our time, to save their lives, to heal their wounds and to soothe their pain.” One way that Catholic Charities responds to this call is through the provision of immigration legal services.
Immigration legal services focus on helping immigrants find a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship, reunite with family members, renew employment authorizations and other immigration documents, as well as apply for permanent residency and citizenship. In addition, Catholic Charities staff provide immigration legal services to the international priests currently serving in the Diocese of Green Bay. Today, 27 of our 114 priests are from outside the United States. These services are provided by staff members who are United States Department of Justice partially accredited representatives and are trained and authorized to represent individuals before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Here is one client’s recent story:
Imagine finding yourself and your children in Wisconsin with your boyfriend, not speaking the language, not knowing anyone and not knowing the community. The relationship is abusive, but you cannot leave for fear of how you will provide for your children, fear of deportation or that your children will be taken away. Until one day it gets bad and you have had enough, you report the domestic violence to the police. The call to the police does not go as expected. Law enforcement helps connect you with services, and one of those agencies is Catholic Charities Immigration Services. This is how Maria found Catholic Charities.
Our staff assisted Maria with filing for a visa under the Violence Against Women’s Act. The visa was granted, and Maria became a permanent resident, i.e., green card holder, in 2017. In 2019, staff helped Maria file an application to reunite with her two minor children living in her home country of Honduras. The applications were approved and in 2019, after 12 years of separation, Maria was reunited with her children in Wisconsin.
Immigrants are our neighbors, friends, classmates, business owners, priests and, most importantly, our brothers and sisters in Christ. They also represent a vital part of the Wisconsin economy, and nearly 20% are agricultural workers according to the American Immigration Council.
Are you inspired to support our work connected to Immigration Services? Here are just a few ways you can show your solidarity:- Pray for immigrants and refugees.
- Learn about cultures other than your own.
- Celebrate World Refugee Day on Thursday, June 20, at the Green Bay Rockers game. Click here to learn more and to buy tickets!
- Volunteer at Catholic Charities.
- Donate towards our Wish List or make a financial donation to support newcomers.
