SNL Leader, Daris Bartolon, shares her story to 200 people during the Archbishop's Witness to Hope gathering held at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit on May 6. Daris immediately left after her presentation to attend an ICE hearing on her case, at which her family's imminent deportation was deferred until June 1.

Eight Dioceses in MI and OH Meet to Discuss Pastoral Care of Immigrants

Adapted from the Detroit Catholic 5/7/26

Catholic lay leaders and clergy gathered May 6 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit to discuss what role parishes and dioceses can play in accompanying immigrant families and individuals amidst the Trump Administration's current expansion of immigration enforcement. The Detroit event was the third “Witness to Hope” gathering in the US this year, following previous ones in Providence, Rhode Island, and Phoenix, AZ.

Fr. David Buersmeyer, the chaplain of Strangers No Longer, opened the meeting saying: “The goal here today is to get us energized to take the next steps as dioceses, parishes, religious congregations or as groups of Catholic organizations,” Strangers No Longer was a local sponsor of the event which included 200 participants from the Archdiocese of Detroit (50 of them from SNL), and folks from the dioceses of Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Saginaw in Michigan. Also represented were the dioceses of Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown in Ohio.

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BELONG Conference Brings Northern Michigan

Regional Focus to Immigrant Inclusion

Panel of Speakers at the Belong Conference.

GAYLORD — Community leaders, educators, faith communities, and service providers from across Northern Michigan gathered April 24 for the inaugural Belong: Northern Michigan Immigrant Inclusion Network Conference, held at Treetops Resort. The event brought together 190 attendees representing 21 counties in Michigan’s Norther Lower Peninsula, as well as organizations serving communities statewide. The conference focused on strengthening collaboration and support for immigrant and multilingual populations across the region. SNL Board Member Gladys Muñoz, director of the Justice and Peace Advocacy Center, gave the keynote address.

Participants also heard from an expert panel and participated in breakout sessions addressing immigration law, English Language Learner support, community resources, healthcare access, and the economic impact of immigrant communities. The goal of the conference was to build stronger connections across systems and communities. “This is about creating spaces where people can come together to learn from one another and strengthen support for all families in Northern Michigan,” said Robin Ingalls, a member of the Conference Planning Team, and teacher at Public Schools of Petoskey. Organizers say the conference marks the beginning of ongoing regional efforts.

The conference also recognized the following people and organizations (pictured below) for their leadership and contributions to immigrant inclusion efforts:

Belonging Award: Outstanding K-12 Student -- Zoe Nicole Hipolito Bahena

Belonging Award: Outstanding Young Adult -- Leonardo Sevilla Molina

Belonging Award: Outstanding Adult -- Etna Romo

Belonging Award: Outstanding Agency -- The Petoskey District Library

Beacon of Belonging Award – Iosco RESA

Belong: Northern Michigan Immigrant Inclusion Network, works to foster collaboration among schools, agencies, health systems, faith communities, businesses, and other community partners to support welcoming and inclusive communities. Those interested in learning more or getting involved can email: Belong-Info@strangersnolonger.org, or visit the Strangers No Longer website .

SAVE THE DATE!

"Assembly for Hope" June 29

On Monday June 29, 10 am to 12 noon, we will ratify a platform of policies focused on creating a more welcoming Michigan.

At the May Circle Leaders Assembly, SNL Circle leaders will develop a Policy Platform to be presented at our June 29 Issues Assembly. Each Circle will be responsible for reporting on their concerns and action priorities, based on listening sessions and other feedback gathered over the past 6 months. From these priorities will come POLICY CHANGES we want to see happen at the federal, state and local level, to make Michigan a more welcoming State, one that respects the rights of all of us, including immigrants. Our organizational allies, and supporters will also have a chance to weigh in on the platform, as will outgoing Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has committed to attend the June 29 Assembly. In the fall, before the November elections, we will have a Candidates' Forum to ask the candidates for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and US Senator:

"Will you work with us to enact these policies here in Michigan?"

NETWORK, a Catholic Social Justice lobby, and their Michigan friends invite us to join their upcoming Prayer Walk for Peace, Justice, and Dignity for Immigrants.

Sunday, May 31, 2026
1:00-3:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church (510 West Ottawa Street, Lansing, Michigan)

Starting and ending at nearby churches, the event will feature a procession around the State Capitol in Lansing and will include readings, reflections, prayers, and song. It will be ecumenical and multi-faith, peaceful and non-partisan. All are welcome!

Click here to Register.

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