God walks with his people: Visit to the Border

The Church celebrates Sept. 23-29, 2024 as National Migration Week, which culminates in the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. It is a time to reflect on how we can care for our brothers and sisters in need.

When speaking of migrants, we must first start with the fundamental truth: the people coming to America from other countries are God’s children, his sons and daughters. Therefore, they are our brothers and sisters too.

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend a gathering of bishops at the border of the U.S. and Mexico in McAllen, Texas. With immigration at the front and center of our country, I wanted to see firsthand what was taking place, rather than rely on news reports, which are often sensationalized. My eyes were opened, and so was my heart.

I admire the bishops who are assigned at the border of Texas and Mexico. Each of them has a real love for migrants. They first see the human person, the dignity of the person above all other things. In the Diocese of Brownsville, Catholic Charities turned an old nightclub into a rest center where migrants are fed and cared for after spending many days and months traveling without the basic necessities, often in extreme heat.

I met several of the migrant families who traveled hundreds of miles to have the opportunity to come to the United States. Their stories are ones of courage and hardships. Many of them must travel through the Darién Gap. The Darién Gap is the only overland path connecting Central and South America and is known as one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes consisting of more than 60 miles of dense rain forest, steep mountains, and vast swamps. It also houses many drug smugglers and political rebels, and it is easy for someone traveling through it to get abused and taken advantage of.

I also met a man who brought his family from Venezuela. The government ordered him to secure 10 votes for each of his four children and if he didn’t do it, his children would be killed.

Today, most of the migrants that are coming to America are from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti. They would rather not leave their country that they love, but their country’s political situation and the effects of poverty and danger make life very difficult for them and their families. It’s very similar to our own ancestors, many from Europe, who came to America because of poverty or other difficult conditions. They came here and contributed their talents for the betterment of our country—much like many migrants are doing today.

Most people go through border control, which can often take months to get approval after they get to the border. However, there are many who try to come across illegally. They often do this because others have told them it’s a faster way, and often, there is a feeling of desperation. The migrants often pay every dollar they have to get to the border. Perhaps you have heard stories of people trying to cross the Rio Grande River. The river looks safe, but underneath there are a current and weeds, which can be very dangerous and even fatal.

There are close to 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. The Church teaches us that the God-given dignity and rights of undocumented immigrants should be respected. Many undocumented people that I know have been here for decades. They have worked hard to provide for their family, and haven’t caused any problems whatsoever.

Obviously, no one wants criminals and those who want to do harm coming to our country. We have all heard these terrible stories. There is a need to secure our borders in a better capacity because, as the Catechism teaches us, every country has a right to secure their borders. But we must do it with an approach of God’s love and compassion. Pope Francis has stated that “safe, orderly, regular, and sustainable migration is in the interest of all countries.”

Jesus had to flee Israel when Herod was trying to kill them. God is walking with his people. And we are called to do the same.

The Most Rev. Gerald L. Vincke
Bishop of Salina

Originally published Sept. 27, 2024, in The Register, Catholic Diocese of Salina