In honor of World Day of Migrants and Refugees Sept. 28, three blogs this month will focus on immigration issues.
Everyone responds in his or her own way to the current threats to our democracy, the cruel denial of due process to immigrants, the blatant violations of the Constitution, the chaos of our government. Some organize protests, others march with clever signs, some write their congresspeople, some pray fiercely, others tutor in EAL/literacy programs for refugees, some volunteer in resettlement efforts. This is what one group did in San Diego, CA.
FAITH (Faithful Accompaniment in Trust & Hope) is an ecumenical program that has religious leaders (including three Catholic bishops) and volunteers present at San Diego’s immigration court to offer support and comfort to those who need it. It was started by the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, and other faith-based community members. On World Refugee Day, June 20, 2025, Bishop Michael Pham and other clergy accompanied immigrants to the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego. Rev. Scott Santarosa, SJ, former Jesuit provincial, now pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish was part of the original group.
He later asked at a special worship service, “if you are affected by what is happening in this country with immigration right now, please raise your hand.” Tentatively, the hands emerged. Seeing that need and a place where the church should stand, volunteers developed a form which enables people who have court hearings to fill out and request accompaniment. Because the newspapers are filled with immigrants’ tragic stories, they seem familiar: a father of five US citizens and the primary breadwinner of the family, deported–without a criminal record. A mother of three and housekeeper, whose medical condition made her catatonic after ICE seized her. Hard-working people with green cards detained without cause; families torn apart. Any response seems inadequate, but FAITH in San Diego seems like a model which can be replicated elsewhere.
A FAITH volunteer named Margie reports about her training: “When Bishop Pham started to share his story of leaving Vietnam as a frightened, unaccompanied 8-year-old on a rice barge, it prompted me to think of my Dad leaving Ireland on a ship after getting released from Kilmainham [the notorious British prison in Dublin, Ireland], and my 17- and 24- year old non-English speaking grandparents coming from Hungary, which caused my tears to well up.” In court, “It has been absolutely heartbreaking to watch ICE (in teams of 9 or 10) grab people of all ages as they leave the courtroom and handcuff them — especially older grandparents whose grandchildren sob in the shock of the moment.”
While this presence may not prevent arrests, it says clearly to asylum seekers, “You’re not alone. Some of us remember our immigrant ancestors, and are grateful for what this country gave them. The way you’re being treated is a travesty of democratic ideals. Everyone in the US isn’t a racist.” Clergy and lay people from many traditions participate — Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans, Muslims, Jews, Quakers and even people of no faith.
As reported in America magazine, (https://www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2025/08/26/san-diego-bishop-immigration-court/) volunteers said, “We can change no outcomes. We enable no results. We are powerless. Why do we do this? We do this to remind everyone that regardless of what happens in any courtroom or detention center or deportation, God made us all the good and dignified sons and daughters that we are. We stand with migrants because we believe that.” Goliath is growing, with a budget increase of over $45 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to build new detention centers and hire some 10,000 additional officers. Against huge odds, this David-like group believes in and works for the impossible. The final word isn’t in yet, but hope is kindled. Somehow but not always, the impossible has been transformed into the possible. Could other people of hope follow their model?
Retreat at Marillac Center, Leavenworth, KS
The Genius of Jesus, The World of Women–Kathy Coffey
October 13 at 4pm (arrive in afternoon)– October 18 after lunch
For more information or to register,
visit https://www.scls.org/prayer-spirituality/marillac-center/
or contact retreats@scls.org 913-758-6552
Kathy Coffey 