The image of gang members, cultivated in the media and by the Trump administration, is one of face-tattooed street denizens leaving a trail of blood and bodies in their wake. While the brutal violence is right, the members recruited for these crimes are often baby-faced teens from poor neighborhoods, and the devastation they have caused to families and communities in Central America is a troubling indicator of state ineffectiveness and inability to protect citizens The countries of the … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2018
Abraham’s Story: A Family Escapes Gang Violence
Witness to his father's murder in Honduras when he was one, Abraham's life was in grave danger. The gang responsible sent a threatening note, and their brutal crime proved their seriousness even more than any words on a page. Abraham's mother knew--the only thing to do was flee. Abraham is two-and-a-half years old. A friendly, spunky, and observant toddler, he likes turtles, grapes, and looking at photos of his two older brothers on his mom’s phone, particularly the one of his 8-year-old … [Read more...]
KBI Media Report: September 2018
Our report this month highlights Temporary Protected Status developments; indefinitely detained families; the expansion of checkpoints and concurrent civil rights abuses; and a new restrictive U.S. policy aimed at green card applicants who rely on public services. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Update: Early this month, a U.S. District judge in California issued a decision temporarily blocking the termination of protection to immigrants from Haiti, Sudan, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. In … [Read more...]
KBI October Announcements
Learn more about upcoming fundraisers for the KBI in Tucson, AZ and Hermosillo, Sonora; speaking engagements for KBI staff and presentations at the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice; our legal fellow job posting; and recent immersion experiences. Tucson Fundraiser: It’s almost time for the Tucson Fiesta! This annual KBI fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, October 21, 2018 at the home of KBI board vice-chair Luis Dabdoub and his wife Susana Dabdoub. Executive Director Father Sean … [Read more...]
Stop the Indefinite Detention of Children!
Stop the Indefinite Detention of Children! After the public outcry in response to separated migrant children held in cages, the solution proposed by the Trump administration is to hold them in cages with their parents—with no time limit! Announced in early September, the new rule would reverse the long-standing Flores Agreement, which outlines standards of care and stipulates a 22-day maximum detention period for minors. The most effective way to fight back against this proposal is to get as … [Read more...]