2019 was a year of celebration, growth, and struggle, both locally as well as nationally and internationally. Here, we highlight the central stories that defined 2019 at the Kino Border Initiative and the border. January The misleadingly titled “Migrant Protection Protocols,” announced in December 2018, were first put into practice on January 25, 2019 in the San Diego area. The policy expanded dramatically over the course of the year, both geographically and numerically, and …Read More
Archives for January 2020
Hector’s Story: Waiting and Serving at the Border
Hector, 39, from the Mexican state of Guerrero, is probably a familiar face to people who have been to the Comedor in recent months. While he and his family are waiting to present themselves for asylum in Nogales, Hector has been serving as the portero—the doorman—of the Comedor. We share parts of his story here because we have been fortunate to have worked alongside Hector, and because his ethic of service and generosity to the KBI family—staff, volunteers, migrants, and the greater Nogales …Read More
Media Report: January 2020
Our media report this month covers the arrival of the cruel and dangerous "Remain in Mexico" policy to Nogales, Sonora; Pope Francis' Christmas message and continued integration of migrant and refugee rights into his words and actions; and the translation crisis that exists on the border, particularly for speakers of indigenous languages. Remain in Mexico arrives to Nogales: On January 2nd, the “Migration Protection Protocols” came to Nogales. Asylum-seeking families and individuals …Read More
December-January Announcements
This month, we welcomed Br. Ricardo Greeley Cornejo as our Mexican Operations Coordinator. We also include a report-back from the Missionary Sisters' of the Eucharist annual holiday gathering to fortify their work. Additionally, we hosted one immersion group and look forward to welcoming you to the grand opening of the migrant aid center next month! 1) Br. Ricardo begins as Operations Coordinator: Br. Ricardo Greeley Cornejo joined the KBI team in late December, where he will be working …Read More
One Year Later: Speak Out Against “Remain in Mexico”
The Remain in Mexico policy was implemented one year ago this month. On January 25, 2019, the first asylum-seekers subject to the policy were returned to Tijuana, and it has expanded rapidly in the last year. We at KBI have stood in vehement opposition to Remain in Mexico since its inception, and we continue to advocate and speak out against it. Please join us by sending a message to your elected representatives about this dangerous and cruel practice through the Jesuit Migrant Solidarity’s …Read More