Fr. John Czyzynski, a member of the North American Immigration Committee, addresses panelists at a presentation sponsored by the committee.

“Whatever we imagine, we can do. We can change things”

-Professor Ed Fallone, associate professor at Marquette University Law School, speaking at the SCJ-sponsored Panel Discussion on Migration

On March 30th the North American Committee on Immigration hosted a panel discussion on the root causes of today’s massive waves of migration. Speakers included Rachel Ida Buff, associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Louise Cainkar, associate professor of sociology at Marquette University, and Ed Fallone, associate professor at Marquette University Law School. The morning presentation was held at the Provincial Conference Center in Hales Corners, WI.

Who are today’s refugees?

The countries of the Middle East are the largest source of refugees, said Prof. Cainkar, “But they have also taken on the greatest burden,” she added. Among them “they host more than 30 million refugees.” Turkey has the greatest number, but Lebanon and Jordan also welcome a considerable amount.

“These countries have been taking in Syrian refugees since 2011; yet it only was termed a ‘crisis’ when the refugees began arriving on western European borders,” she said.

More than 50 percent of the refugees are children; many of the most vulnerable are women. They represent a wide variety of religious groups, social, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Prof. Rachel Ida Buff

Reflecting on the youngest immigrants crossing the southern border of the United States, Prof. Buff reminded listeners that it is only out of an incredible sense of desperation that parents send their children on such a journey, alone, across multiple countries.

“I am a mother; I would not send my child off unless I was desperate, fearing for my child’s life,” she said. “We have to respect the circumstances that these people face.”

Once these children, or any migrant arrives in the United States, there is then the struggle to find a way to stay in the country.

Prof. Fallone said that the United States grants refugee status to people who are in imminent danger, such as activists receiving death threats because they are working for change in their countries, and people who belong to persecuted religious or ethnic groups.

“But the vast number of migrants are neither activists nor targets,” he said. “They are simply victims fleeing wars, drug lords and natural disasters. We need to create a lawful way for them to come to the United States.”

He spoke about the large numbers Vietnamese that the United States welcomed following the exit of US troops from the country. “The United States accepted responsibility for the mass movement of people from Vietnam following its intervention,” said Prof. Fallone. “We felt a moral obligation.”

Many argue that US intervention in Iraq led to people fleeing across it and other Middle East borders, “but there is no discussion of how our invasion of Iraq led to the country’s destabilization,” said Prof. Fallone. “What is our responsibility in this crisis?”

Fr. Peter McKenna of the North American Immigration Committee

The panelists also talked about the economic impact of trade agreements, such as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Although it created one of the largest free trade zones in the world, it also dramatically changed the lives of Mexican farmers who could no longer compete with large agri-business growers. Seeking work, these farmers often head north to the United States.

“Historically, there has long been an ebb and flow of Mexicans crossing the border for work and then returning,” said Prof. Fallone. Ironically, now that the southern border has become more difficult to cross, those who do come to the United States illegally often stay. “And because they do, they send money so that that their wives and children can join them. The fence is counterproductive.”

How to respond?

“Whatever we imagine, we can do,” said Prof. Buff. “We can change things.”

The laws regarding who can become a citizen, who has access and rights to health care, schools, jobs and even voting are determined by laws that are always open to review and change. “There are many ways to think of citizenship and rights,” said Prof. Buff. “We can change any law…

“When I think of the great civil rights battles in the United States, the abolitionist movement, women’s suffrage, equal rights; those movements succeeded because people emphasized the commonality of humanity. They said, ‘we are all the same, not different.’”

That is the message, the panelists said, that needs to be heard in regards to migrants.

Listening to a question from the audience.

“Migrants deserve to be treated like humans, they deserve a meaningful life,” said Prof. Fallone. “Why? Because we deserve a country where we are welcoming, where our leadership respects human rights.”

“We need to take in refugees and treat them with dignity,” added Prof. Cainkar. “Destroy stereotypes with conversations. Invite a Muslim to talk to your congregation; there are organizations that can provide speakers. Build bridges between people to take down walls. In the pulpit invoke Catholic teachings. Build compassion. Pope Francis is such a good role model for this.”

Prof. Buff encouraged people to “Listen to the young. Young voices are speaking on so many issues. Listen to people who don’t have power; they are often speaking a ‘truer’ truth. There is an ethics to listening. You do not have to agree with others, but you must listen to them. They are crying out for justice.”

Change is constant

Since its beginning, immigrants have affected change in the United States. Prof. Fallone likened it to what happens in a family; a daughter marries, a child is born. “My family changes when new people come into it,” he said. “In the same way, the country changes when new people enter it. Just as in a family, we have to be accepting and loving.”

He urged faith leaders to encourage a sense of welcoming; eventually political leaders might do the same.

“Faith-based communities have to say it is good to welcome the stranger,” added Prof. Buff.

Change comes incrementally, and often slowly. “The great civil rights gained for women and blacks were done through conscious strategic litigations,” said Prof. Fallone. “Incremental court decisions led to breakthroughs and change.”

He noted that in recent years conservative movements have used the same strategy to chip away at many civil rights. “We have to keep fighting,” he said.

“Just show up; it matters,” said Prof. Buff in regards to protests and other public efforts. “We have to inspire each other. What we do individually really does matter.”

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops devotes an extensive section of its website to immigration issues, including resources about the Church’s teaching on immigration. Click here to access it.