Paths of Hope: Faith, Justice, and Immigration
Journey to the Kino Border Initiative
por Zandra Schiemann
The Immigration Committee at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Chestnut Hill, MA, to which I belong, organized an immersion trip for its parishioners to the “Kino Border Initiative” in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
During five days at the border, we had the opportunity to learn about various realities and perspectives on migration in the region. We met with local ranchers who shared their experiences regarding the impact of migration on their lands, and we also attended public deportation hearings at the Tucson, AZ court, where we witnessed the difficult legal processes faced by many migrants, most of them young.
This trip gave us the chance to meet face-to-face with recently deported migrants who come to Kino daily in search of food, medical assistance, psychological support, and legal guidance.
We also met those waiting for the opportunity to enter the United States to request asylum, but who now face the difficult challenge of deciding their future due to the lack of available legal pathways.
We heard their stories firsthand, understood their hardships, and saw firsthand how Kino serves as a refuge and a beacon of hope amidst adversity. Here, migrants have the opportunity to learn a trade and have organized a cooperative where both children and adults sell the goods they create. With very few resources and under difficult conditions, they craft handmade goods and run a small bakery with local products.
We took a symbolic journey through the desert, following some of the routes migrants take on their trek. Seeing the personal belongings left behind, the memories that accompany them, and, in many cases, the loss of human life reminded us of the urgency to act. Faith and justice go hand in hand, and standing alongside those who need it most is not just an act of solidarity it is a commitment we must share within our communities.
Throughout the region, the legacy of Father Eusebio Kino, known as “The Missionary on Horseback”, is honored. This Jesuit made a profound impact on the area, combining evangelization with the social and economic progress of indigenous communities, promoting their well-being and defending their dignity.
His influence and missionary spirit remain alive today, reflecting the Jesuit traditions of walking alongside vulnerable communities, education, and social justice. These values continue to inspire everyone involved in the “Kino Border Initiative”, reaffirming his legacy on both sides of the border.
This experience reminded us that, beyond borders and policies, human dignity and the right to a safe life remain causes worth fighting for.
