Immigration Policy

For more than a decade, the School Sisters of St. Francis have formally declared our support for comprehensive immigration reform. We recognize the important contributions of immigrants to our society and advocate for “a path to legal, permanent residence and citizenship.” This commitment of support complements the work of the U.S. and Mexican Catholic Bishops’ conferences, and other organizations calling for comprehensive immigration system reform.

We invite others to join us in our support of immigrants, which includes a commitment to

  • Oppose trafficking of all persons
  • Raise awareness of the many employment issues related to U.S. immigration policies
  • Challenge racism inherent in U.S. border policies
  • Advocate for immigrants’ civil rights

Mission and Ministry

Casa Alexia Mission on the Border

Casa Alexia is a joint ministry of our congregation’s United States Province and Latin American Region. Sisters currently serve on both sides of the United States-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. Together they:

  • Raise awareness about issues on the border related to immigration policy, violence, and human trafficking
  • Provide accompaniment and counseling to victims of violence and their families
  • Advocate for the human rights of immigrants, detainees, victims of violence and injustice
  • Provide education and pastoral services for those in need
  • Offer English as a Second Language classes, religious instruction, and other education opportunities
  • Administer a food distribution program that serves more than 100 impoverished families monthly

 

International House of the School Sisters of St. Francis

 

Our community has made a Milwaukee duplex that we own available to house two refugee families: a Sunni Muslim family from Iraq with five daughters, and a Burmese Rohinga family with four children. This house offers the families an opportunity to establish themselves securely in their new community.

Our partner in this initiative, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, offers a variety of services to these families, English as a Second Language classes and assistance in finding work. The organization has also helped the families find appropriate schools for the children, secured essential household items, and taught them to access other resources and services.

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