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