Nogales, AZ, September 16, 2011:  On the 201^st anniversary of the Mexican Independence, “El grito” which commemorates Sept. 16, 1810 when the Rev. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called for an end to Spanish rule, the Mexican Consulate in Nogales, AZ hosted a ceremony and reception to honor the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) for their humanitarian work in the Nogales border region. The KBI received the Ohtli Recognition Award; “Ohtli” is a Nahuatl word that means “pathway”. The Ohtli medal features footprints that symbolize the pathway that men and women will follow.  The Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) and the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME) present this award to individuals and organizations who devote their lives to helping the Mexican community abroad. The Kino Border Initiative was founded in January 2009 and since then, has served thousands of migrants that have been deported to Nogales, Mexico by providing food, shelter, first aid and pastoral support.  The award was received by Fr. Sean Carroll, S.J., Executive Director, and by KBI staff members.

On September 7, 2011, the Kino Border Initiative hosted a forum at the National Pedagogical University in Nogales, Sonora. The forum was organized to discuss the realities that migrant women face. There were four speakers: Dr. Michelle Tellez, a professor of Human Rights and Social Justice from the University of Arizona. Dr. C. Alejandra Elenes, a professor of Human Rights and Social Justice from Arizona State University. Marla Conrad, a social worker from Nazareth House who has five years of experience working with migrant women. Silvia Nuñez Esquer, a journalist who specializes in human rights and the social condition of women.