Immigration Conference: Responding to Changing Realities at the U.S. Border and Beyond – Catholic Approaches to Migration

The Catholic University of America and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will be hosting the upcoming conference “Responding to Changing Realities at the U.S. Border and Beyond.” This conference will investigate the dimensions and roots of the Catholic response to immigration crises and reform. The conference will be held in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The organizers will host a reception in Heritage Hall the evening before the conference celebrating the installation of the Angels Unawares sculpture and highlighting the work of students and alumni in the area of immigration and refugee advocacy.

The Thursday conference will consist of four panels—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—with a lunchtime keynote address in between the second and third panel. For questions or accommodations contact: bustamantej@cua.edu.

Become part of a network of individuals and organizations working to address immigration issues collaboratively, and to educate Catholics about Church teaching on the issue.

 

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Schedule of Events

[Click here to view the speakers' bios]

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 (Heritage Hall)

• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  Opening Reception
  A  reception in Heritage Hall the evening before the conference celebrating the installation of the Angels Unawares sculpture and highlighting the work of students and alumni in the area of immigration and refugee advocacy.
  
  

Thursday, April 11, 2024 (Pryzbyla Center - Great Room)

• 9:30 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
  Welcome
  Dr. Peter K. Kilpatrick, President, The Catholic University of America  
  William Canny, Executive Director, Migration & Refugee Services, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
  
  
• 9:35 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
  Opening Prayer
  Bishop Evelio Menjivar, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, D.C.
  
  
• 9:35 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
  The Journey – 1st hand narrative
  Bishop Evelio Menjivar.
  
  
• 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
  Panel #1: What are Migrants Experiencing at the Border and Beyond?
  Moderator
  Professor Martha Cruz Zuniga, School of Arts & Sciences (Economics), The Catholic University of America
  
  Panelists
  Sr. Tracey Horan, KINO Border Institute (Arizona/Nogales Mexico)
  Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance
  Father Leo Perez, USCCB, Director for Nat’l Collections for Church in Latin America
  Sr. Sharlet Ann Wagner, Catholic Charities D.C. Welcoming Efforts & Challenges
  
  
• 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  Coffee Break
  
  
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
  Panel #2: Why do Catholics respond to the call to stand with immigrants?
  Moderator 
  Dr. Maria Mazzenga, Curator, American Catholic History Collection, The Catholic University of America
  
  Panelists
  Professor Julia Young, School of Arts & Sciences (History), The Catholic University of America
  Dr. Todd Scribner, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 
  Dr. David Hollenbach, Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Research Professor, Georgetown University 
  
  
• 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  Lunch Discussion
  Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, D.D., Bishop of El Paso, Interviewed by President Kilpatrick
  
  
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
  Panel #3: The Role Catholic Institutions Play in Shaping Immigration Policy
  Moderator
  Professor Stacy Brustin, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
  
  Panelists
  Giulia McPherson, Vice President of Advocacy & Operations, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
  David Cronin, Senior Policy and Legislative Specialist, Catholic Relief Services
  Christy Williams, Director, Social Policy and Government Affairs, Catholic Charities USA
  Maria Celina Márquez, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Migration & Refugee Services 
  
  
• 3:15 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
  Break
  
  
• 3:25 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.
  Panel #4: Where do we go from here – A Call to Action
  Moderator
  Professor Veryl Miles, Sr. Thea Bowman Recommendations Implementation and Coordination Team, The Catholic University of America
  
  Panelists
  Professor Martha Cruz Zuniga, School of Arts & Sciences (Economics), The Catholic University of America
  Michelle Sardone, Deputy Director, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)
  William Canny, Executive Director, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Migration and Refugee Services
  Javier Bustamante, The Catholic University of America, Center for Cultural Engagement
  Jessica Estrada, Director for Newcomer Services at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington
  Cheryl Aguilar, MSW (NCSSS), Director & Therapist, Hope Center for Wellness
  
  
• 4:45 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
  Closing Prayer
  Campus Ministry