Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

No Ban! No Wall! Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, NY Resistance

February 8, 2017

“On Saturday, February 4^th, Cabrini Immigrant Services of Dobbs Ferry partnered with a diverse coalition of community organizations to host the Westchester Resistance Rally in White Plains.

The protest, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, was organized by State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins who represents Dobbs Ferry among other Westchester towns and villages, and also included New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The event was organized in opposition to policies issued via executive order by President Donald J. Trump.

Senator Stewart-Cousins convened local leaders, elected officials and Westchester community members who came together in support of human rights and in opposition to policies banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries and the construction of a multi-billion dollar wall between the United States and Mexico.

“As President Woodrow Wilson once said, ‘The history of liberty is a history of resistance,’ ” said Stewart-Cousins. “The organic demonstrations of people all over the world underscore the importance of American ideals and values.”

The event followed weeks of protests and rallies since the Presidential Inauguration.

Meanwhile, on February 4^th, while other Cabrini staff members were protesting in White Plains, Lorraine Campanelli, Director of CIS, was a panelist on the “Forum on Immigration” at the Yonkers Public Library, presented by The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, The Westchester Black Bar Association and The Regional Immigration Assistance Center. Lorraine spoke about the many services available at CIS-DF. “It was an honor to hear from attendees that Cabrini is well respected and is highly recommended by so many other agencies,” said Lorraine Campanelli who has been asked to join “the team” as they travel to different regions of Westchester County.

Previously, on January 28^th, Concerned Families of Westchester rallied in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY to protest President Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda. The staff from Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, along with several tutors and their spouses were in attendance

LCWR Releases Statement on Executive Orders on Immigration

February 3, 2017

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is deeply disturbed by many of President Trump’s recent executive orders. His misplaced priorities and denigration of the values that form the bedrock of this nation, threaten us all.

We are deeply concerned about the administration’s executive orders on immigration and refugee resettlement which serve only to threaten border communities, force our immigrant community members further into the shadows, and endanger those fleeing violence. These misguided executive orders do nothing to make anyone more secure and may well have the opposite effect.

Spending billions of dollars on an unnecessary and ineffective wall and further militarizing the border will divert funding from health, education, and social programs and will not make America safe again. In fact, such action threatens the health and well-being of border communities, the environment, and those seeking refuge in our country. President Trump’s orders, if enacted, will tear families apart, challenge our already stressed immigration courts, and deny those fleeing persecution and violence their right to asylum; all at enormous cost to our treasure and our souls.

The president’s attempt to enhance public safety in the interior by cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities and counties will have the opposite effect. It challenges local authority and threatens to destroy the hard won trust of the immigrant community. The order eviscerates prosecutorial discretion and places every undocumented person in the country in danger of immediate deportation.

Finally, we are appalled by President Trump’s order which bans residents of seven Muslim majority countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days, suspends refugee resettlement entirely for four months, and bars resettlement of Syrian refugees indefinitely. This is unconscionable in the face of the unprecedented global refugee crisis. More than 61 million people have been displaced from their homes, more than at any time since World War II. Some 21 million are refugees; most are children who have been forced from their homes by unthinkable violence. The Trump administration has forced all of us to turn our backs on families who are literally running for their lives.

This nation has a long history of welcoming immigrants and sheltering refugees. Women religious have been blessed to be able to accompany and serve immigrant and refugee communities across this country for a very long time. Catholic sisters remain committed to welcoming refugees who come to this country after passing through the U.S. government’s already rigorous screening processes. Halting or undermining the U.S. refugee resettlement program leaves vulnerable refugees, including women and children fleeing violence, in extreme danger and diminishes us all.

We strongly object to President Trump’s attempts to limit our ability to heed God’s call to welcome the stranger (Mt. 25:35) and to care for those most in need (Mt 25:40) and we are particularly concerned about rules and regulations that deny access to refugees because of their religion, race, or nationality. It is a violation of our faith and every norm of humanity.

We vow to continue to welcome refugees and minister to immigrants. LCWR and its members will continue to press for restoration of refugee resettlement, relief for families, an end to needless deportations, and the closure of all family detention centers. We will continue to advocate for compassionate, bipartisan legislation that fixes our broken immigration system. We will continue to stand in solidarity with families, regardless of immigration status, who labor daily to provide safety and security for their children.

LCWR is an association of leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has nearly 1300 members, who represent more than 38,800 women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, LCWR assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.

To learn more please visit the LCWR website: https://lcwr.org

Also, learn more at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website: http://www.usccb.org

Cabrini University Releases Statement on Executive Order on Immigration

February 3, 2017

Dear Cabrini University Community,

As you are aware, President Trump issued an executive order on Friday, January 27, that bans entry into the United States for individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and bans refugee entry from all nations. This executive order has prompted swift opposition, including large demonstrations and legal challenges.

Cabrini University applauds the opposition of this executive order and stands in solidarity with those who are protesting the injustice of this order. Cabrini too has taken steps to stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters, including, among other actions, signing a letter from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities promising not to voluntarily identify undocumented students.

Cabrini has always been a University that welcomes immigrants, refugees, and undocumented students. We will continue to do so, and we will continue to protect all of our students—each and every one.

We are not alone in this, as we stand in solidarity with colleges and universities around that nation, both faith-based and secular, who oppose this executive order. Catholic colleges and universities in particular have been strong opponents, heeding the words of Pope Francis who said that “authentic hospitality is our greatest security against hateful acts of terrorism.” You can read a statement by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, of which Cabrini is a member, by following this link: ACCU Statement on Recent Executive Order by the President

Some students may be wondering how this executive order will affect their spring break travel plans. There is no one answer to this question, so I suggest that students who have concerns reach out to Cabrini’s faculty and staff for assistance. We’re here to help and will provide whatever assistance and information we can.

Let us never forget that Cabrini University is named for the universal Patron Saint of Immigrants—Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini—an immigrant to this country who eventually became an American citizen. She and her Missionary Sisters ministered to the marginalized immigrants from all walks of life, many of whom faced discrimination and outright harassment. From her example and that of her Missionary Sisters, we have, and will continue, to stand in solidarity with immigrants and refugees from anywhere in the world.

In the spirit of the Patron Saint of Immigrants,

Don Taylor

Donald B. Taylor, PhD

President, Cabrini University

Cabrini Health, Australia Details Outreach to Asylum Seekers and Refugees

December 4, 2015

At the recent Provincial Assembly of the Missionary Sisters one session focused on the way in which Cabrinian ministries are addressing the pressing issues of immigration, migration, refugees, asylum seekers and human trafficking.

This week, we continue our series of in-depth looks at individual Cabrinian ministries and we explore how they are responding to the needs of those who are experiencing upheaval in their lives due to war, poverty, violence or captivity.

Cabrini Health, Australia

Support for asylum seekers and refugees is one of the three priorities of Cabrini’s social outreach program.

Baptcare/Cabrini Houses of Hope Pilot Program

Baptcare has been providing transitional housing to asylum seekers and refugees through their Sanctuary program since 2008. Sanctuary has capacity for 76 asylum seekers across two facilities in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. As well as tenancy support, residents have access to caseworkers and pastoral services aimed at improving their well-being, independence and social participation. This pilot program will end in July 2016.

Jesuit Social Services/Cabrini Asylum Seeker Solidarity Project

This is a joint initiative between Jesuit Social Services and Cabrini, which was initiated in December 2013 with the goal of changing the hearts and minds of the Catholic community towards asylum seekers and refugees. This has ultimately resulted in the formation of the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA), a steering group comprising representatives from Catholic peak bodies, universities and other relevant organizations that have liaison with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Cabrini Health provided a grant to fund the establishment and sustainability of CAPSA and a project officer to facilitate the development of joint statements, regular communications and messaging.

Mental Health Screening Tool for Asylum Seekers

This has been a three-year project to develop and evaluate a tool to screen for and triage mental illness in asylum seekers. The project goals were that the tool is short, sensitive to the asylum seekers’ mental health issues, and able to be administered by a non-professional staff member at the first interaction with asylum seekers. The tool is in the final stage of validation. Cabrini has fully funded the project.

CatholicCare Asylum Seeker Support Program

CatholicCare’s Asylum Seeker Support Program supports vulnerable individuals and families released from onshore detention centers into community detention and other individuals and families who are living in the community on bridging visas and who have virtually no support. Cabrini Health provided a grant for this program which partners with parishes.