Detroit Archdiocese Sponsors First Ever

Convening on Pastoral Care of Immigrants

Witness to Hope event to be held May 6

For the first time in its history, the Detroit Archdiocese is hosting a regional (MI, OH) conference on the Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities . The Detroit event is the third in a series of national events named: "Witness to Hope." The all-day event will feature sessions addressing the use of detention in mass deportations, knowing one’s rights in an enforcement scenario, and best rules and practices for sensitive locations, such as churches and schools, that have come under immigration enforcement scrutiny. Strangers No Longer is a local sponsor, along with Catholic Charities of SE Michigan.

WHAT TO KNOW:

When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Where: Sacred Heart Major Seminary 2701 Chicago Blvd. Detroit, MI 48206

What: Witness to Hope: Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities will be a full-day convening involving Catholic Charities and Archdiocesan agencies, staff, priests, religious, parish and Catholic school leaders in the Michigan and Ohio region.

Cost: $35 per person includes lunch and light breakfast; scholarships available

Read Full Agenda

You are welcome to register. Scan the QR code or visit:

https://bit.ly/4s8zdSz

STRANGERS NO LONGER 5TH ANNUAL BANQUET, APRIL 12

Tickets are selling fast for the 2026 SNL Banquet at the Ukrainian Hall in Warren. As in previous years, contact your circle leader for tickets or send an email to June Porter, Banquet Ticket Chair: Jun4port@yahoo.com

Banquet 2026 highlights include:

Basket Raffle: Over 30 various themed baskets will be raffled off
Music by the St. Clement Youth Choir and a local DJ
Stories from the Front: Powerful testimonies from people working on the frontlines of the War on Immigrants including: a chaplain at the North Lake Detention Center, and a 21 year old son whose father was recently deported
Food and Fellowship: Come celebrate our achievements and get energized for the work ahead!

Link to the flyer in English and Spanish.

Next Circle Leadership Assembly

Sat. March 28, 2026, 9 -10:30am

NEW LOCATION!!

GESU School Social Hall, 17140 Quincy St, Detroit

Across street from UD Mercy, just North of McNichols, east of Livernois; enter through door off Quincy St.

"How is the immigration crisis impacting you, your family, your faith?"

NOW IS THE TIME TO GROW YOUR CIRCLE OR FORM A NEW ONE!

More SNL Circles are forming across the State. If you are having trouble getting people in your parish /organization interested in forming or joining your Circle of Support, now is a good time to invite a speaker to your church or organization. Members of our Immigrant Circles of Support are eager to share their story and its one of the best ways to reach people.

CONTACT SNL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A SPEAKER!

sakmar.g@strangersnolonger.org

A Busy Start to 2026 for SNL Youth

First Annual Heritage Day

In February, Strangers No Longer celebrated the diversity that enriches our society, during the first SNL Heritage Day, hosted by Youth in Action for Immigration.

Over 30 students and adults were treated to a special art exhibit honoring Black Catholics, during Black History Month. A special thanks to Detroit Cristo Rey for their hospitality and University of Detroit Jesuit Seniors who spearheaded the event.

Bishop Foley High School Joins Youth in Action for Immigration

Strangers No Longer Youth from UD Jesuit presented to over 150 students from Bishop Foley High School in Madison Heights. As a result, for the first time Bishop Foley will be bringing students to this year’s Youth Conference. Special thanks to UDJ Seniors, Shiraz Arshad, Shahzad Arshad, and Joseph Davis and to Bishop Foley’s campus minister, Calla Baumgartner, for organizing the event.

Mercy High School Partners with SNL for Professional Development, Student Retreat

Strangers No Longer partnened with Mercy High School on two events in February and March: a staff Professional Development Day, and the Junior Retreat. University of Detroit Jesuit Seniors and Sr. Pat Lamb addressed Juniors about the work of SNL, encouraging them to attend the upcoming Youth Conference and students were led through a refugee camp simulation by Mercy educator Dr. Alison Kline-Kator. Thanks go out to Maggie Ronayne, Mercy Campus Minister, who organized and facilitated the retreat.

Updates on SNL Work in Northern Michigan

Preparations Underway for BELONG'S

First Conference

On April 24, BELONG: Northern Michigan Inclusion Network, will host their very first conference at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. The event aims to build BELONG's collective voice and power by bringing together 300 immigrant leaders, policymakers, advocates, service providers, communities of worship, and other area leaders. The purpose is to raise awareness about the realities of immigrants in rural northern Michigan, and explore collaborative, action-oriented ways to create a more welcoming, thriving region for all Michigan residents. Link to the BELONG Conference flyer.

Conference Keynote is Gladys Muñoz, SNL Board Member, leader at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Traverse City, and the Director of the Justice and Peace Advocacy Center. Other speakers include Bishop Jeffery Walsh, Diocese of Gaylord; Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez. Exec. Director for the State’s Hispanic Commissions; Victoria Francois from the American Immigration Council; and Ben Cabanaw, Deputy Director of the Office of Global Michigan. We hope you’ll join us! REGISTER HERE.

Northern MI Leaders Hold Listening Sessions

Leaders in Petoskey and Alpena held Listening Sessions among 25+ immigrant and non-immigrant leaders to better understand the current needs of immigrant residents in northern Michigan. These listening sessions brought together new leaders interested in supporting welcoming efforts. Themes emerged that are now being used to guide the preparations for the Belong Conference in Gaylord on April 24.

Catholic Churches in the Gaylord Diocese Consider Bringing Catholic Social Doctrine to their Parishes

A dozen Catholic leaders from 9 parishes across the Diocese of Gaylord gathered virtually in early March to brainstorm ways they might help their parishes engage more deeply in Catholic Social Doctrine. Leaders from Frankfort, Traverse City, West Branch, Oscoda, Ossineke, Harrisville, and Kalkaska shared their love for the Gospel, and for putting their faith into action. They discussed ways to bring educational and service opportunities to their parishes. Their next meeting is in May and they welcome any other interested Catholics in the Diocese of Gaylord to join them by contacting Amy Ketner at Ketner.a@strangersnolonger.org.

New SNL Know Your Rights and Accompaniment Resources

Parishioners took these to their neighbors at St. Clement (Romeo) and San Matthias (Sterling Heights)

Links to the Know Your Rights in English and Spanish.

More News and Resources

Attorney General Dana Nessel Launches a Reporting Tool for Immigration Action In Michigan Access the form here: https://forms.office.com/g/T6VLSzXRyE

Statement of the US Catholic Bishops in Border States and Beyond On Recommended Reforms to Immigration Enforcement in the United States February 24, 2026