Clergy Stand With Migrants on World Refugee Day, ICE Agents Leave Court
World Refugee Day 2024, marked globally on June 20, focused on solidarity and defending refugees' rights. The day aimed to raise awareness and end conflicts driving displacement, with over 123 million people worldwide having been forced to flee their homes due to persecution, conflict, or violence by 2024.
In observance of the day, clergy from the diocese organized a visit to an immigration court in San Diego. Led by Jesuit Father Scott Santarosa and coordinated with Dinora Reyna-Gutierrez of the San Diego Organizing Project, the clergy aimed to witness migrant cases, accompany migrants, and communicate their support. Bishop Michael M. Pham, who fled Vietnam as a refugee, and other clergy attended the event. Their presence led ICE agents to leave and the courtroom management to change.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Bishop Mark J. Seitz, and Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski recently issued messages of support for migrants and refugees, echoing the clergy's stance. During the visit, no one was detained or deported, demonstrating the clergy's role in providing a safe and supportive environment for migrants and refugees.
World Refugee Day 2024 highlighted the urgent need for solidarity and support for refugees worldwide. The clergy's visit to the immigration court in San Diego served as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing with migrants and refugees, ensuring their rights are protected, and advocating for an end to the conflicts driving displacement.
