Resources

Immigration education raises the community’s consciousness and understanding of immigration issues, and the necessity of immigration reform in the United States. It puts a spotlight on the economic, social and moral dimensions, among others.

One of the focuses of our office is to create opportunities and space for education and dialogue. Our network of Immigration Parish Coordinators (Link) serve as educational liaisons to native-born parish communities that may not be directly impacted by immigration issues, or may not be very well informed about them. These leaders facilitate the education process in their parishes including the dissemination of educational resources.

Educational resources on immigration follow below

Read

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, "US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform" (Full Report, Summary)
Migration Policy Institute, "The Economic Value of Citizenship for Immigrants in the United States" (English)
Illinois Business Immigration Coalition, "Immigration and the Economy Facts" (English)
Immigration Policy Center, "How the Immigration System Works: A Fact Sheet" (English)
Why don't people migrate legally? (English)
Our Book recommendations

Watch

Center for American Progress, "Our Future Together: How Immigrants Will Reshape our Workforce" (English)
Mary Small, Jesuit Refugee Services, on Immigration Policy Updates (English)
"God will Never Leave a DREAMer" (English)
“Who is My Neighbor?" English | Español
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran's Immigration Conversion Story (English)
Office for Immigrant Affairs' 2011 Posada (English)
Movies & Documentaries. (Link)

Play

The Migrant Trail. (Link)

If you have any questions or are interested in a one or two-day immersion trip, please contact Kathy McGourty, Director of Youth and Young Adult Education at Kmcgourty@archchicago.org.

Prayers and Catholic Social Teachings

Our faith has a rich history of listening to the cry of the poor and working to change systems of injustice. The following will provide you with resources on prayers, prayer services and Catholic Social Teachings to enhance the education of your students.

Prayers & Prayer services. (Link)
Catholic Social Teachings. (Link)

Action and Advocacy

The 11th commandment might be "Thou shall not be a bystander." Our faith calls us to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts and then, in the words of Matthew West's Christian rock song, "Do something!" These links offer ways to move your transformed hearts into action.

Congressional Actions

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops asks you to sign the electronic postcard for Justice for Immigrants. (Link)
H.R. 1123 - Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2015 (Link); learn about this bill and write to your representatives asking them to support it.
Check out the weekly immigration action alerts developed by the Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants (Link) network:
Click here for Action Alerts

Accompaniment Actions

Pastoral Migratoria Peace Circles and Resources for Pastors (Link)
Post-Detention Support Packs (Link)
Many times, detainees released in Chicago, waiting for a court date, are from another state. They are released without money, a way to contact family, and with no necessities like food, toothbrush, etc. Help prepare backpacks with necessary supplies to aid them in their journey home.
Coat Collection
Released detainees are many times arrested in a warm season or state and released in Chicago during cold weather. Collect coats and clothes to keep them warm upon release. Email esegura@archhicago.org to coordinate.
DREAMer Scholarship Fund (Link)
Undocumented youth, brought here as children, have little access to funds and assistance to attend college after graduation. Raise funds to donate to the non-profit scholarship program for undocumented youth.
Posada Event
The Seeking Posada is a Hispanic Christmas tradition of reliving the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for an inn in Bethlehem. This tradition has a stronger meaning now considering the immigrants in search of welcome and safety in our country. Be a presence to immigrants as you accompany them not only during this Posada event but as they continue to search for welcome and for policy reforms.

Speaker's Bureau

Want to learn more about the history of immigration laws, the complexity of present ones or the journeys of today's immigrants? Contact Kathy McGourty at Kmcgourty@archchicago.org to line up a speaker to come to your campus and engage the youth in the next level of understanding the issue and envisioning a just solution.

Bulletin Announcements

To communicate the various studies, teachings and news regarding immigration reform, we use many platforms to reach Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. Sunday bulletins serve as a great medium to publish items worth noting for parishioners. Passed out at every Sunday mass, this level of distribution gives us the opportunity to reach local parish communities.

We have been producing and distributing bulletin announcements each month for several years. The themes cover several areas connected with immigration, but the theme remains the same: As Catholics, we need to be concerned for our immigrant brothers and sisters.

Below, find bulletins for January 2017 and an archive of all of 2016.

2017

January English | Spanish
February English | Spanish
March English | Spanish

2016

December English | Spanish
September English | Spanish
August English | Spanish
July English | Spanish
June English | Spanish
May English | Spanish
April English | Spanish
March English | Spanish
February English | Spanish
January (Migration Awareness Month) Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5

Action Alerts

Preparing for Changes in the Presidential Administration

The new administration is expected to make significant changes to current immigration policy. The details of what President-elect Trump will do on immigration are unknown, but we have gathered some informational resources for our community.
National Immigrant Justice Center: Know Your Rights. (Link)
CLINIC Legal: How to Prepare for the Changes. (Link)
Know Your Rights. (Link)
Immigration Legal Resource Center: Post-Election Talking Points. (Link)
Protect Yourself from Immigration Raids. (PDF)
Maldef: Immigrants’ Rights Under a Trump Presidency. (Link)
City of Chicago: Mayor Rahm Emanuel: 'Chicago Always Will Be A Sanctuary City' Article | Video
Five Ways to Stop Family Separation, Support Separated Families and End Family Detention (PDF)

Como Prepararse para los Cambios en la Administración Presidencial

Se espera que la nueva administración haga cambios significativos a la política inmigratoria actual. Se desconocen los detalles de lo que pueda hacer el Presidente electo Trump acerca de inmigración, pero hemos reunido algunos recursos informativos para nuestra comunidad.
Carta de Elena Segura (Link)
Centro Nacional de Justicia para Inmigrantes: Conozca sus Derechos (Link)
CLINIC Legal: Como Preparse para los Cambios (Link)
Conozca sus Derechos (Link)
Escenario Post-Electoral (Link)
Maldef: Derechos de Inmigrantes Bajo la Presidencia de Trump (Link)
Ciudad de Chicago: Alcalde Rahm Emanuel confirma a Chicago como ciudad santuario (Artículo y Video)
Cinco maneras de detener la separación de familias, apoyar Separation, a las familias separadas y eliminar la detención de familias (PDF)

Support and counseling for youth and young adults

Crisis Text Line (Link)
The Trevor Project (Link)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Link)

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

To Write with Love on Their Arms (Link)
CARES Crisis Line, SASS Services (Link) – Illinois crisis mental health services program for children and adolescents

800.345.9049 (voice), 773.523.4504 (TTY)

Crisis/Emergency Mental Health Providers across Illinois (Link)
Center on Halsted (Link)

Support and counseling for parents

Look Through Their Eyes (Link)
Child Mind Institute (Link)
City of Chicago – Office of New Americans and 311 City Services (Link)
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (Link)
- 800.543.7362
Mount Sinai Hospital - Sinai BrightPath’s Under the Rainbow and St. Casimir Center
Under the Rainbow
- 1500 S. California, 773.257.4750
- St. Casimir Center: 2601 W. Marquette, 773.565.2550

Pastoral Responses

“We are with You” Say U.S. Bishops in Calling Elected Officials and Americans to Work Together to Welcome Refugees and Immigrants Without Sacrificing Core Values, Security (Link)
Pope Francis: "Money is against the poor and against immigrants and refugees but there are also the poor within rich countries, who fear the arrival of those who are like them from poor countries" (Link)

Respuesta Pastoral

Respuesta de la Conferencia de Obispos (Link)
Papa Francisco: Preocupado principalmente por “la angustia y el sufrimiento” de los “refugiados y de los inmigrantes” (Link)

Prayers for Immigrants

Prayer is essential on this journey to continuing evangelization and building bonds and support for compassionate comprehensive immigration reform. Not only is prayer necessary for converting minds and hearts towards the immigrant and the issue of immigration, but it is critical for sustaining hope and efforts around immigrant support in times of significant challenge. We invite you to join with the numerous parishes and religious communities that have been praying on a daily or weekly basis until Congress votes on immigration reform.

We offer various prayer resources in line with the Church’s liturgical calendar to support parishes, schools, religious communities, etc. along the journey.

Walk with Me- 21 Day Payer Journey Around the World (English)
Catholic Relief Services: "Prayer Service for Immigrants from Latin America" (Bilingual)
God of the Journey English | Español
Homily Sample from Fr. John Hoffman (English)
Homily Suggestions on Immigration, January-February, 2014 (English)
Interfaith Worker Justice: "Immigration through the Lens of Faith" (English)
Justice for Immigrants, Pulpit Announcements (Bilingual)
Litany for Immigrants (English)
Migrants and Refugees: Towards a Better World (English)
Personal Reflection (English)
Prayers and Intentions for Immigration Reform (English)
Prayer Options English | Español
Sr. JoAnn Persch, RSM, Reflection from the October 19th Pilgrimage (English)
USCCB Prayer for Migrants and Refugees (English)
Words on Immigrant Justice English | Español.

Immigration Prayers of the Faithful

Fall Prayers of the Faithful English | Español
Prayer of the Faithful (PDF)

Resources for Advent, Lent and Easter, and Pentecost

See our Advent Resources, Lenten/Easter Resources, and Pentecost Resources webpages for resources created specifically for these liturgical seasons.
2017 Immigration Lenten Calendar English | Español

Click here for immigration prayer and reflections.

Parish Vitality and Mission

Human Dignity and Solidarity

Resources

Human Dignity and Solidarity

Immigration Ministry

Resources