September – October Media Report

Migrants in Nogales lead march in honor of World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

In recognition of World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 26, migrants seeking asylum took to the streets in Nogales to protest Title 42, Border Patrol abuses, and lack of access to healthcare in Nogales, Sonora. Known as The Revolutionaries, a group of migrants organized and led the march, which featured testimonies, songs, and an exhortation for more just policies on both the U.S. and Mexico side.

Marking the 10th Anniversary of José Antonio Elena Rodríguez’ killing.

October 10th completed a decade since the killing of a 16-year-old boy through the slats of the border wall in Nogales, Sonora. The anniversary was marked by numerous demonstrations, including a Memorial Mass on October 9th that we co-hosted and featured Bishop Weisenburger, Bishop Emeritus Kicanas, and Bishop Leopoldo. The quest for justice and accountability for Jose Antonio continues.

KBI Launches Migrant Accompaniment Network in Partnership with Jesuit Refugee Service and Ignatian Solidarity Network.

To embody our value of Holistic Accompaniment and promote our strategic priority of Migrant Integration, we were proud to announce our efforts to create a nationwide group of volunteers who will work to welcome and integrate migrants into their communities. Alongside our partners, we introduced this initiative on September 14th, just ahead of the Catholic Church’s observance of National Migration Week. It is a practical step towards following Pope Francis’ message that we must “[Build] the Future with Migrants and Refugees.”

KBI echoes ISN in call for Congress to take action on DACA.

“The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday that DACA, which has been in place since June of 2012, is unlawful. This decision comes months after an appeal was filed by the federal government in response to a similar ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen in Texas in July of 2021.”

Our partner, Ignatian Solidarity Network, explains the implications of the latest ruling for DACA recipients and renews the urgent call for Congress to pass legislation that will secure a pathway to legal status for DACA recipients. We echo their call, believing that Migration with Dignity means that migrants should not have their legal status jerked around by U.S. politics for years on end.

Mexico’s armed forces are becoming increasingly powerful under its president

We decry president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s recent moves to increase the military presence throughout civilian life in Mexico. His administration recently extended a law that allows the armed forces to perform police functions and patrol streets throughout the nation. Even worse, a recent hack of the military’s servers exposed extrajudicial surveillance of democratically elected officials and ordinary citizens. This increased presence, coupled with the military’s lack of oversight and pattern of abuse, further endangers migrants to threats of abuse and use of excessive force by Mexican officials, who often act with impunity.