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Let's take Action Together!
Join us at the next
Assembly of SNL Circle Leaders
Saturday, June 28, 10:00-11:30 am
Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 13500 Oak Park Blvd. Oak Park, MI
REGISTRATION LINK
Our meeting will include: Reports on meetings with Police Chiefs and other follow-up actions; addressing families in crisis and planning a possible procession in July to ICE.
Contact: luna.s@strangersnolonger.org with any questions.
NEWCOMERS WELCOME This image, originally from a far right website, was re-posted online by the White House and DHS.
| | Circle Leaders Meet with Police Chiefs to Question Cooperating Agreements with ICE | | |
Do you want your city to devote local police resources to rounding up immigrants for detention and deportation? That is what the Feds want – the Department of Homeland Security: they are pressing cities and counties to sign 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to be deputized as immigration agents and potentially arrest and detain residents they suspect of immigration violations. In Michigan, signed agreements are in place in the City of Taylor and in Jackson, Roscommon, Calhoun and Berrien Counties.
22 Circle Leaders committed to setting up “research meetings” with their local Police Chiefs – each leader bringing a delegation from his/her parish and other contacts. As of this printing, Beverly Hills, Trenton, Woodhaven, the Detroit Chief of Police, and the Commander of Detroit’s 3rd Precinct have all had meetings. Another 18 Circle Leaders are calling to set up their research meetings.
These research meetings with the local police chiefs are to begin a relationship between the circle leaders and their local chief and to address the issue of local law enforcement cooperating with ICE agents on immigration matters.
At our May 24 Assembly of Circle Leaders, Odalis Perales, SNL Manager of Strategic Partnerships, presented a compelling PowerPoint on the issue of 287 agreements. Click this link to the slides and summary of slides .
On June 11, the Michigan House introduced a resolution (HR128) "to encourage county sheriffs and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Michigan to enter into 287(g)agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enhance immigration enforcement and public safety." A vote on HR128 is pending.
TO GET INVOLVED – contact Odalis at 863-245-4649 or Perales.o@strangersnolonger.org.
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Archbishop Weisenburger:
"Immigrants are--and always have been--the lifeblood of America"
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The June issue of America Magazine featured a lead article written by Detroit Archbishop Ed Weisenburger, in which he states that the current US Immigration system is broken and has failed to adjust to the needs of our economy and the realities of the 21st Century: He said: "With all the talk about the need for people to immigrate 'the right way', one cannot help but ponder: 'What is the right way?"
Weisenburger, the former Bishop of Tucson Arizona who spent time with immigrants at the southern border, urges all Americans to look into the face of others and recognize our shared humanity, "Any legitimate starting point for a new approach to immigration policy must begin by recognizing the humanity of the immigrant,"
Read the Archbishop's article from the AMERICA Magazine and feel free to share it widely.
| | IS IT TIME FOR A PROCESSION … AND OUR CONFESSION? | | |
With all the news of detentions – not of violent criminals, but neighbors who have been here for 20-30 years, working, paying taxes, raising families and grandchildren – is it time that we as Catholics pay a visit to ICE?
Is it time for us to confess to ICE?
To confess that every immigrant, with or without documents, has right to be treated with dignity
To confess that many of our ancestors entered the county without documents, some forcibly?
To confess that members of our parishes are immigrants?
To confess that our faith demands we receive immigrants as brothers and sisters?
To confess that we are Conscientious Objectors, opposed to Donald Trump’s War on Immigrants?
Imagine JUST FOR A MINUTE: a procession of Catholics – and “nones” and people of other faiths – processing from Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit over to the ICE office, at the SE Corner of Michigan Ave. and the Lodge Fwy.
Planning is underway, contact Bill O'Brien billobrien2018@gmail.com for more information.
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New SNL Anti-Fraud Taskforce Fights Immigration Scams
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A member of one of our Immigrant Women Circles of Support, received an official-looking letter threatening her with deportation and providing a number of a fake lawyer who offered her legal assistance in exchange for a lot of money. Four other women were tricked by the same fake lawyer.
As the immigration crisis escalates and more migrants face imminent deportation, SNL Circles of Support have seen a rise in immigration-related scams. In moments of confusion and urgency, unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of vulnerable families by offering “help” in exchange for money and benefits that never
materialize. These scams cause families to lose time and money, and deepen their mistrust in institutions. Aware of the seriousness of the problem, SNL has created a Fraud Prevention Network focused on three areas: Education, Public Awareness and Solidarity.
Education:
Provide tools to help people recognize warning signs and identify untrustworthy individuals posing as lawyers or immigration authorities. We will also share resources about what to do if someone has already fallen victim to a scam.
Public awareness:
Carry out a public information campaign about immigration scams and how they infringe on several rights: the right to privacy, since scammers often collect personal documents without explaining how they will be used; the right to proper legal representation; and the right as consumers to receive a fair service.
Solidarity
Review the cases reported to SNL and, with the help of our volunteers and allies, look for ways to provide legal, emotional and other kinds of support to the impacted families and individuals in their search for justice and repair.
Scammers are fully aware they are taking advantage of vulnerable people who are doing their best to regularize their situation. In this fight, education, public awareness and solidarity are our strongest tools.
| | Detroit Hosts National Conference on Welcoming Immigrants | | |
In May, Amy Ketner, SNL Staff and 2 members of our new Northern Michigan network of institutions welcoming immigrants and refugees went to the National Conference on Welcoming Immigrants hosted in Detroit.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha was the keynote speaker. She spoke of her experiences uncovering the water crisis in Flint, starting RX Kids, and being an Iraqi immigrant.
Read more about the conference in El Central, in an article written by the Kaylee Razo, former SNL Youth in Action for Immigration Co-Chair and currently a summer intern at the newspaper.
| | Attending the conference (left to right): Amy Ketner, SNL Staff; Lauren Vitas, Adult ESL Teacher for the Alpena RESA; and Bree Baughman, English Language Learning Coordinator and Teacher in Onaway Public Schools. | |
Mercy High School and Strangers No Longer
Facilitate Retreat on Immigration
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Mercy staff and SNL leaders at the retreat, during which they heard breaking news on the new Pope !
In May, Strangers No Longer partnered with Mercy High School to co-facilitate a day-long immigration-themed retreat for the Junior Class. The students led an opening prayer, and listened to the personal story of Ste. Anne de Detroit leader, Sr. Nina Rodriguez.
"So why did I want to talk to young girls about immigration?," said Sr. Nina, "I have been so saddened by the lies, injustice, cruelty, of our news and reality that I felt compelled to speak truth to power ! I have accompanied many undocumented friends to their appointments at the immigration office. Many experiences still break my heart."
The juniors participated in a refugee camp simulation, and interacted with a panel focused on taking action to support immigrants. On the panel were SNL leader Christina Potkay, Resurrection Parish; Mercy Sister, Pat Lamb; Mercy HS Student Leaders, Cadence Washington and Hailey Thostenson; and SNL staff, Amy Ketner.
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Panelists reflected on their experiences:
"I really enjoyed speaking in front of my peers, because I got to share one of my passions and the reality of working with immigration. After this retreat, many of my friends and other classmates talked with me about the retreat and SNL, as they gained lots of inspiration from my story and what SNL truly does. I feel this experience was amazing and eye opening for myself and the rest of my classmates." - Hailey Thostenson, Mercy Student Leader"
As I reflect on the Junior Retreat and still see the beautiful, lovely faces of these young women, and feel their openness, compassion, goodness, and love, my heart fills with gratitude. Truly the power of the Spirit overflowed and continues to bless me and hope they are all singing the praises of God as well, in spite of the pain we continue to witness. The retreat gave me hope for the future. How important it is to dream about Possibilities!
We all know things are not getting better. At the end of one of the presentations a student came up to me to share that her father after being here in the U.S. for 25 years was sent back to his country, then burst into tears. I held her and cried too! --- Sr. Nina Rodriguez, CSJ, Ste. Anne de Detroit
| | | Parish Circle Leaders In Action | | |
Christ The Redeemer (Lake Orion) Leaders Christina Griesser and Suzanne Fabick organized an 8-week, Just Faith seminar on Catholic Social Teaching, culminating in intense work around immigrants and immigration issues. The 18 parishioners met every Thursday evening, but also traveled over to St. Damien in Pontiac to meet with parish staff and leaders who detailed the journeys and struggles of parish families who are now fearing ICE detentions. For the 18 parishioners of Christ the Redeemer – the experience has been exciting, bringing unity among the participants based in new knowledge and confirmation of their faith journeys.
Gesu (Detroit) Circle Members have been praying for over a month for their fellow parishioners Carmen and Cesar and their 2 young sons Camillo and Cedric. In 2016 they left El Salvador and applied for asylum from vicious and persistent gangs, and became members of Gesu through the invitation and hospitality of the Circle of Support. Finally, with the support of a wonderful pro bono lawyer, they had a chance for a green card, giving them permanent residence in the US – but they had to leave the US, forgo their asylum application, and return to El Salvador for an appointment at the US Embassy on May 20. They are still waiting – and the Gesu Circle is still praying and supporting.
Our Lady of the Woods in Woodhaven parishioner Nick Chuey, with permission from his pastor Fr. Robert Johnson, will be giving a presentation at all Masses, encouraging members to consider joining a new Circle of Support at the parish. Nick’s 6-minute presentation is attached. Consider using Nick’s presentation as a model for a presentation at your parish. We need to engage more and more of our parishioners and friends and family in this Catholic Social Teaching effort.
| | | New SNL Staff Member: Odalis Perales | | |
Odalis Perales is the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Strangers No Longer, where she works to strengthen connections between immigrant communities, faith networks, and advocacy partners across Michigan. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, and raised in Florida, she holds a B.A. in Anthropology, modified with Global Health from Dartmouth College.
Odalis supports Southeast Michigan Circle leaders in organizing “research actions” with police chiefs to speak out against police-ICE collaboration, recruits bilingual candidates for Community Mental Health Worker training, and coordinates staff efforts to launch new Circles of Support. Her commitments center around immigrant justice, community empowerment, and health equity. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hosting, and spending time with her husband, Christian (also a Dartmouth grad), and their dog, Luffy D. Perales.
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Youth in Action Elects New Leadership Team
New officers are from Detroit Cristo Rey, Dearborn Divine Child, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (Ann Arbor), Mercy, Notre Dame Prep, and University of Detroit Jesuit High Schools. A big THANK YOU to outgoing officers (pictured at left): Chisomaga, Sofia, Kaylee and Valentina!!
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News Links:
Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ betrays the poor; the church must oppose it, Detroit Catholic, Archbishop John C. Wester, June 11, 2025
Salvadoran bishops denounce sending migrants to notorious El Salvador prison, National Catholic Reporter, Rhina Guidos, June 4, 2025
Western International HS Senior Deported after Arrest Driving to Field Trip, MLIVE, June 13, 2025
Generational Impact of Immigration Crackdown on Migrant Health Planet Detroit, Isabelle Tavares, June 11, 2025
Resources:
MIRC is hosting an Asylum Clinic on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 10:00 AM–2:30 PM in Detroit. See flyer below.
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Please donate to support the work of Strangers No Longer. |
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