AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Mass at the border for migrants, the number of Haitians increases in Nogales

Monday, 24 October 2016 refugees bishops migrants

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Arizona (Agenzia Fides) - "The economic migrant is not a criminal. The economic migrant is someone looking for a decent way of life for himself, for his family", said His Exc. Mgr. Gerald Frederick Kicanas, Bishop of the diocese of Tucson, Arizona, during the homily of the Mass celebrated yesterday at the border with Mexico, which was presided by the apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
The celebration was organized to allow the international community to reflect once again on the plight that families divided by the border live: on the US side, Nogales Arizona, there were about 250 people, and on the Nogales Mexico side no one knows exactly how many were present.
Mgr. Kicanas recalled Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico, who spoke of immigration reform and humane treatment for migrants. Presenting the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr. Kicanas said: "His decision to join us reminds us that this is a very important issue for our Holy Father".
The Mass is the first of several initiatives to highlight the common work carried out in close cooperation between the US Diocese of Tucson and the Mexican in Nogales, reports the note sent to Fides. The main objective is to draw attention to migrants and refugees.
According to agency data, there are about 64,000 migrants (including 8,000 minors) who were stopped by the border police in Arizona in 2015, while 63 died in the attempt to cross the border in the desert. According to Father Sean Carroll, SJ., Executive director of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), a charitable organization that welcomes immigrants and refugees, migrants have increased significantly in Nogales, and local resources to feed these people are not enough. The latest data of the reception centers in Nogales report the arrival of 80 Haitians at the border town who are trying to enter the US on this side. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 24/10/2016)