HOPE Border Institute Archives

At border, bishop urges VP to see ‘foreboding walls of steel’

Jun 26, 2021

On Vice President Kamala Harris’ first trip to the Southern border, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso emphasized to her the importance of seeing first-hand the border and the countries migrants are fleeing to properly address the burgeoning immigration crisis.

By John Lavenburg

Immigration summit laments ’empty’ Central American towns

Jun 5, 2021

At this week’s emergency immigration meeting a prominent moment for Bishop Mario Dorsonville was a conversation he had with an El Salvadorian bishop who described the growing emptiness of some of his diocesan towns.

By John Lavenburg

Catholic leaders praise Biden’s decision to raise refugee cap

May 5, 2021

After President Joe Biden raised the refugee admissions cap to 62,500 Monday, Catholics leaders and immigration advocates applauded the move as a necessary step in the right direction, but still wish it happened sooner.

By John Lavenburg

‘Cold calculation’ used when returning migrants to Mexico

Apr 29, 2021

Last Thursday, about 25 families exited a bus near a U.S.-Mexico border bridge near downtown El Paso. They had been flown in from south Texas, where they were apprehended after attempting to enter the country. Now, they faced expulsion into Ciudad Juarez, 800 miles from where they initially crossed.

By John Lavenburg

Catholic immigration advocates say ‘Christian response’ needed at border

Apr 9, 2021

While Democrats and Republicans are trading accusations for who is to blame for the present crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, one U.S. bishop says enough is enough.

By John Lavenburg

Catholic bishops call on Biden to change reality at Mexican border

Jan 29, 2021

When Bishop Mark Seitz arrived to El Paso in 2013 he realized that most people don’t understand life on the United States-Mexico Border. Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Seitz acknowledges that he didn’t either.

By John Lavenburg