Immigrants & Refugees

The Catholic Church in the United States is an immigrant Church with a long history of embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move.  Our Church has responded to Christ’s call for us to “welcome the stranger among us,” for in this encounter with the immigrant, the migrant, and the refugee in our midst, we encounter Christ.
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VIA  is the diocesan program, in partnership with the diocesan Hispanic Ministry Office, to provide pastoral care, education, public policy advocacy and prayer support on immigration and refugee issues.  

​Logo:  The Holy Family of Nazareth, which fled to Egypt to avoid the persecutions of King Herod, represents the model for our ministry of pastoral care, prayer, education and public policy advocacy for immigrants and refugees.

Raiza Guevara
Program Coordinator
VIA Immigration & Refugee Ministry

​Phone: (816) 756-1850, x521
Email: @diocesekcsj.org

The Church Addresses Separation of Families at the Border
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On Saturday June 23, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a fact sheet describing its implementation of the zero tolerance policy and reunification of families. 
Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) is working with DHS and HHS as it advocates for the reunification of immigrant families and against the extended detention of families. ​
Statement from Cardinal DiNardo on Asylum Decision and Family Separation

In the June 2018 meeting of Bishops, USCCB President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston issued a statement on behalf of the U.S. Catholic Bishops expressing concern about the U.S. Attorney General's recent decision on asylum, Matter of A-B-. Cardinal DiNardo also spoke against the increasing practice of family separation, stemming from the Administration's "Zero Tolerance" policy, at the U.S-Mexico border. You can read the statement here.

Statement by USCCB's Committee on Migration

​On Wednesday, May 23, the USCCB's Committee on Migration provided a written statement for the record in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hearing on unaccompanied children.  The statement highlights the need for existing protections for unaccompanied children to combat human trafficking and also to ensure safe placement and strong integration into communities. It also offers a few key recommendations for improved care of these children and for increased protection against trafficking and exploitation. 

Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Resources
Rescission Of Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program
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Articles
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Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity 
Issued by USCCB, Nov. 15, 2000

Designed for both ordained and lay ministers at the diocesan and parish levels, Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity challenges us to prepare to receive newcomers with a genuine spirit of welcome that provides a bridge for them to cross from one culture into another.  A wonderful resource for communications and religious education committees, seminaries, and school superintendents.

Pastoral Care

Educational Topics

Resources & Referrals


"The Church of the twenty-first century will be, as it has always been, a Church of many cultures, languages and traditions, yet simultaneously one, as God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, united in diversity."                                              
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​                                                                                                                               Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

Human Rights Office ~ Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph  ~ 20 West Ninth Street ~ Kansas City, MO 64105 ~ ​(816) 756-1850 (x 521) ~ tmolina@diocesekcsj.org