Immigration Advocacy
Who We Are:
The IMMIGRATION WORKING GROUP is part of the Justice and Peace Network of the Congregation. The members are Sisters and Cojourners from California, Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
What We Do:
Guided by the Directional Statement of the Congregation, we work to overcome injustices in the immigration system by studying, advocating, protesting, and acting on issues that lead to systemic change as well as by participating in direct actions that aid our immigrant brothers and sisters.
We participate in community actions and protests. We respond with support when a need arises, such as delivering food to families afraid to leave their homes when ICE was active in the community.
We hold monthly conference calls to stay abreast of federal and local issues, particularly in the states we represent, and to plan actions related to them. We collaborate with other groups who are working on behalf of the immigrant population
Examples of Ministry:
EDUCATING: We heartily encourage all Sisters and Cojourners to subscribe to the Action Alert Digest, which is published weekly by the Franciscan Community in Clinton, Iowa, the weekly publication from CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network), FAN (Franciscan Action Network) as well as other helpful publications.
ADVOCATING: All members write, call or e-mail their legislators, both nationally and locally, whenever a current situation involving immigration occurs and encourage others to do so.
ACCOMPANYING: We accompany individual and families of immigrants with our prayers. Some of us accompany them to court appearances and others assist by educating them on the resources available. Another avenue of accompaniment is by serving as a pen-pal for persons in ICE detention.
COLLABORATING: We collaborate with other groups, such as Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Society, who work for justice and to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees. We have applied for grants to aid organizations that work for systemic change in immigration policies.
PRAYING: We have sponsored interfaith prayer services in Lourdes Chapel. We provide copies of prayers for Sisters and Cojourners when an issue warrants special prayers.
Please pray with us:
Lord Jesus, teach us to welcome the strangers among us- the immigrants, refugees, people on the move—all sisters and brothers on the journey. We ask that you protect them and provide them a place of safety and a future full of hope. Open our eyes to see their needs and give us the resolve to act as you would act. Amen.
STATEMENT ON IMMIGRATION
As Rochester, MN Franciscan Sisters and Cojourners, compelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and recognizing the inherent dignity of each person as a child of God, we stand in firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters many who are fleeing persecution actions and threats of violence and/or economic insecurity.
We call upon our religious, political and community leaders to protect the human rights of all immigrants and to safeguard family unity. We ask you to advocate for comprehensive and just immigration reform. In unity with us, we urge you to oppose planned actions of the current administration including mass deportation policies which do not respect human dignity.
In your community, we encourage you to take courageous actions to be a source of light and hope for those who are afraid and vulnerable.
Together we can bring light to dark places, alleviate suffering, and build peace by caring for the least among us and opening our welcoming embrace to our global human family.
This statement was prepared by the Chair of our Social Justice Committee and the Immigration Advocacy subcommittee, on behalf of the Rochester Franciscan Sisters and Cojourners.
Sister Tierney Trueman, Congregational Minister, February 2025