Vatican delegation documents immigrants' suffering in the US

Father Mattia Ferrari, coordinator of the World Meeting of Popular Movements, has called the suffering of immigrants in the United States "completely unjust" during a tour of the country. He spoke amid growing concern after the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent while driving his work crew in Houston. Ferrari was at a Catholic parish in Houston at the time and heard directly from families about the fear and distress in the community.

As he has traveled through several US cities, Ferrari has seen the difficulties immigrants face, including family separation and detention. "They are suffering something that is completely unjust," he said, describing the death of Salgado Araujo as "the peak of the suffering." The World Meeting of Popular Movements, first convened at the Vatican by Pope Leo XIV in 2014, seeks to give a voice to the poor and marginalized in the struggle for social justice.

The Church's role in defending migrants

Ferrari said the Church's role is one of service rather than leadership, and he stressed the importance of community leadership. At a meeting last fall, Pope Leo XIV said "the Church must be with you: a poor Church for the poor, a Church that draws close, that takes risks, that is courageous, prophetic and joyful." The pope also said the poor must be at the center of the Gospel and that marginalized communities should take part in a collective effort to reverse social injustices.

The tour covers nearly six weeks and 21 cities. It was organized after Ferrari expressed an interest in learning about the realities people face on the ground, particularly the cost of living and tensions over immigration in the United States. Cecilia Flores, who coordinated the tour, said the group "sits down, listens and asks deep questions in a kind and pastoral way."

Accounts of suffering and solidarity

Ferrari is traveling with Luca Casarini, founder of Mediterranea Saving Humans, and César Piscoya, an adviser to the Centro de Programas y Redes de Acción Pastoral (Center for Pastoral Action Programs and Networks) of the Latin American Bishops' Conference (CELAM). Many members of the delegation have said they were surprised to find suffering in the United States they had not known about. "The image they have of this country, whether from the media or from what they have been told, falls apart when they see that it is not as easy as they thought," Flores said.

In Houston, the delegation visited a dialysis center for uninsured patients. In Pittsburgh, it met labor and environmental leaders to discuss challenges related to abandoned gas wells. In San Diego, the group went with immigrants to court hearings and ICE check-ins, where Ferrari was moved to see tears of fear turn into tears of solidarity as people realized they were not alone.

Health care and social inclusion

In Monterey Bay, California, the delegation visited rural farmworker communities and took part in an event at a Catholic parish to enroll immigrants without legal status in the public health system. Liz Hall, supervising organizer for the Industrial Areas Foundation in Monterey Bay, recalled that Ferrari described the public health effort as "the miracle of solidarity."

Migrants speak in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, the delegation attended a public hearing where immigrants described their experience of the mass deportation campaign. Emily, a 21-year-old civil engineering student, said she feared her information could be used against her, but also felt empowered by telling her story in a setting concerned for her well-being. "I felt that there were more people going through this and that the Church really cared about us," she said.

Robert Hoo, lead organizer with One LA, said the Vatican delegation's visit had a significant impact, because "recognizing that the Vatican is watching, that the world is watching, makes their stories matter." Ortencia Ramirez, a leader with One LA, said she felt hope at the connection with Pope Leo XIV.

The delegation joined a panel of organizers at Dolores Mission, where participants discussed efforts to pass laws in California that would impose high taxes on immigration detention companies. Angel Mortel, the group's lead organizer, stressed the importance of collaboration among different organizations in facing those challenges.

Even after 21 cities, Ferrari said he regretted not being able to reach more places. "We have a lot of work to do around the world, so we will surely come back," he said.