Finding Jesus...Welcoming Christ Within our IHM Immigrant Community

On January 23rd, IHM hosted a panel discussion of the current issues in IHM’s immigrant community.  Deacon Bob Hauert moderated the discussion and joining him were Fr. Juan Anzora, Efrain Espinosa (St. Vincent de Paul) and Miranda James (IHM Youth Ministry).  Over 40 parishioners participated in the discussion!  Sharing information from this discussion can help us recognize Christ in every member of our parish.

Did you know?

• Approximately 50% of Mass attendees and Faith Formation participants are Spanish speaking. 
• Most members of IHM’s Latino community are from Mexico, with many members coming from the same area:  Cuanajo in the State of Michoacan. 
• Columbia, Cuba, Brazil, Lithuania...we have IHM members from all over the world!
• Registering at a home parish is not always the norm for some areas of the world but IHM has made great strides in helping Latino members understand the need to register.  IHM’s current registration reflects 31% of parishioners as Spanish speaking.  
• Many of the Latino youth at IHM are very comfortable speaking English. Although they may speak both Spanish and English at home, they normally attend Spanish Mass with their parents for a more family-oriented experience.
• Faith plays an important cultural role in many Latino families with the priest being seen as the community’s leader.  Traditions and devotions (Example: devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe) are prevalent in the homeland and many of these traditions are carried on here at IHM.  This helps to keep that connection to the homeland alive as a source of comfort and familiarity.  There is also a strong emphasis on the importance of volunteering in the Church and we see this in the large Latino volunteer community here at IHM.
• The Quinceanera tradition of a Mass and reception marking a Latina girl’s transition from childhood to young womanhood is alive and well in the IHM community.  This ceremony is a time for celebration and often an opportunity for the family to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
• A major reason why most immigrants leave their country to come to the United States is to escape violence and poverty.  This is a universal truth all over the world, not just for the Latino community.  But specifically in Mexico, the drug cartels have made daily life very dangerous.  While crossing the border is a difficult and risky process, the dangerous living situation in Mexico causes people to seek a safer and better life for their families here in the US.
• There is no good path to becoming a legal US citizen available to the average immigrant.  The two primary paths are family reunification or a visa sponsored by an employer.  
• Family reunification usually involves a citizen or permanent resident of the US sponsoring a direct immediate family member such as a spouse or child under 21.  The estimated wait time is approximately 20 years for visas from Mexico for direct family members of permanent citizens (green card holders). This extremely long wait time, plus the high fees involved and difficulty getting an interview at an Embassy or Consulate, often discourages individuals from even applying.
• Employer sponsored VISAs are extremely limited for the Latino population and usually reserved for highly skilled workers.
• Most immigrants pay taxes!  The taxes may be in the form of sales taxes, food taxes, gas taxes, etc., and of course taxes deducted from a paycheck.  When undocumented workers receives a paycheck, taxes and social security benefits are still deducted...they just won’t be able to claim any of the benefits.
• The recent GA immigration laws have affected the driving habits of our IHM Latino community.  More taxis are being used to attend Mass and Faith Formation classes as members attempt to minimize driving whenever possible.  We have lost some members who drove from Gwinnett but are now choosing to attend a church closer to home.  Another effect of the GA immigration law has been a reluctance to contact the police for assistance when needed.
• An ongoing concern is with the disillusionment of the undocumented Latino youth that realize their options after high school are limited. While their friends are getting driver’s licenses, summer jobs and making college plans, they do not have the same options. They may have been brought from Mexico as a toddler and only know life as it exists in the US.  Many don’t even read or write Spanish very well since English is the language they are most comfortable with.  Without something like the Dream Act being passed, even the most gift student is not likely to obtain a higher level education. (The Dream Act would allow undocumented youth to attend college or join the military.)  
• Some Latino teenagers want to drop out of high school or seek gang membership when they realize their future is so challenging.  Gang membership can be an attractive path for someone feeling disillusioned or alone. This so disturbed the audience that “How can we help the kids?” was one of the primary concerns resulting from our panel discussion. 
• What can we do?  How can we help?  These questions were asked by many in the audience.  Some suggestions include: Learning about the Dream Act and contacting your legislators to tell them you support it or volunteering at Faith Formation since its a combined English and Spanish event.   
• The Social Justice team will be hosting another panel discussion focusing on “Where do we go from here”.  

Remember...none of us here are legal or illegal in God’s eyes...