Columban missionaries have been accompanying communities along the US/MX border for over 25 years. Every day we see how border communities are models of hospitality and creative cross-cultural encounter. We’re friends with the families that call this place home, who cherish their binational heritage.
We also see how inhumane immigration enforcement and extreme militarization sow fear and distrust in our communities. And for those that do not live here, conflicting media reports and demonizing rhetoric may be their only source of information about this beautiful place.
We invite you to come and see the reality beyond the rhetoric. The resources and articles on this webpage will help you to gain a greater understanding of what is really going on at the border and how you can best advocate for border communities.
At the border, every day is an opportunity to put into practice St. Columban's famous teaching: “let a life unlike your own be your teacher.”
The Columban Mission Center in El Paso hosts “border awareness experiences” all year long.
Host a Border Justice Workshop
See the reality beyond the rhetoric. Host a border justice workshop for your faith community or group.
Tell Biden: No Children in Detention
Write to President Biden and tell him to end all detention of migrants.
As the President’s first term comes to a close, we want to review some of his major border policies. In this article, we will look at construction of a border wall.
As the President’s first term comes to a close, we want to review some of his major border policies. In this article, we will look at zero tolerance and family separation.
Child participates in the annual border mass (c: El Paso diocese)
We invite you to come and see the reality beyond the rhetoric. By taking these nine steps, we hope you will gain a greater understanding of what is really going on at the border and how you can best advocate for border communities.
Migrant city tent in Matamoros, bordering Brownsville, TX (photo: Leidy Perez-Davis)
The United States government is forcing people to wait in Mexico while their asylum claim goes through the immigration court process. The President and his administration are doing all they can to limit access to life-saving protections (such as asylum) by building a physical wall and also a policy wall.
St. Columban (b. 543 - d. 615)
The world today badly needs a renewed spirit of cross-cultural exchange. We need to be more like the Church’s great missionaries. Not only do cultural differences enrich us and lead us closer to God, but they also allow us to transcend the trivial factionalism that even St. Columban encountered.
Copyright © 2021 Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Washington, D.C.