Biblical scholars have suggested that the day laborers of Jesus’ time were at the very bottom of the working ladder. Even slaves were better off, in the sense that they had someone to protect them – they had value as the owner’s investment. I knew before I came to Casa Juan Diego that the day… continue reading
There Is No Line
February 9, 2012 by
In the presidential debates some of the candidates have insisted that the only answer to the question of undocumented immigrants in the country is to have them deported or to ask everyone to go back home to their countries to “get in line with everyone else.” The problem with this idea is that there virtually… continue reading
Secure Communities? Some Changes in ICE Policies, But What is Needed is Comprehensive Immigration Reform
August 1, 2011 by
In response to widespread criticism across the country of the Secure Communities program of ICE (U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on June 17, 2011 ICE Director John Morton issued a memorandum announ-cing some changes in the way the program is administered. Not only human rights groups, and the U. S. Catholic Bishops, but local… continue reading
A New Mandate for Immigration Reform
August 1, 2011 by
As a social scientist by trade, my tendency to categorize human behavior carries over to my work as a Catholic Worker. I have noticed that there are basically two different types of guests that receive care, support and hospitality at Casa Juan Diego: those newly arrived, and those that have been in the United States… continue reading
The Sins of the Fathers? How Immigration Policies Promote Child Neglect
October 1, 2010 by
A few months ago a mother and father with two children arrived at the door of Casa Juan Diego unexpectedly–distressed, homeless, with very few clothes or possessions. I got the mother and children settled and comfortable in a room at our women’s house and the husband went to our men’s center. I did not see… continue reading
Do We Help People Who Shouldn’t Be Here? Works of Mercy and Immigrants
October 1, 2010 by
Why Help People Who Shouldn’t Be Here? At Casa Juan Diego we do not help people who shouldn’t be here. At Casa Juan Diego we simply practice the Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and imprisoned. Biblical Imperative The Bible says… continue reading
The King of Kings, the Migrant of Migrants: Do Not Fear, Do Not Mistreat the Migrant
October 1, 2010 by
From Archbishop Wenski’s (Archbishop of Miami) homily on immigration reform at a welcome Mass upon his arrival in the Archdiocese, for the myriad ethnic com-munities of Miami. Our world today is increasingly globalized: Pope Benedict XVI said that globalization has made us all neighbors but it has not made us brothers. Part of the globalization… continue reading
Health Care Reform? Help Needed With Health Care for Immigrants
July 1, 2010 by
No matter where your ideas may fall on the passage of the new health care legislation, the reality is that there will still be many who will have great difficulty accessing health care. Immigrants, even some legal immigrants, are specifically excluded. We need your help to continue medical services in our clinics. The clinics of… continue reading
More Deportations Than Ever
July 1, 2010 by
Many hoped there might be improvements for immigrants under the leadership of the new Obama administration. Not so! We have noticed a marked increase in reports and anecdotal evidence in the Houston area regarding deportations. We also get many calls from mothers of small children and pregnant women about the deportations of their husbands. Now… continue reading
The Secret Jails of Homeland Security: ICE Disappears People and Families and Lawyers Cannot Find Them
April 1, 2010 by
At Casa Juan Diego we receive calls from as far away as Central America from families of immigrants who are detained by U. S. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), calls from wives or husbands or parents who are desperate to find their loved ones. We try to help, and we make calls and give out… continue reading
