Immigrants threatened in Mexico; Church responds

"We are concerned about the reports that we have received in recent days of constant threats, intimidation and aggression suffered by The Immigrant's House, the residents and staff working in this center, especially the house of “Belén,Posada del Migrante,” based in Saltillo. We appeal to the authorities of the State of Coahuila to investigate the attacks and threats, prevent further acts, and provide protection services to immigrants in our country, for the sole purpose of offering a better quality of life.” This is what the Mexican Bishops said in a statement signed by Bishop José Leopoldo González González, Auxiliary Bishop of Guadalajara and Secretary General of the Mexican Bishops' Conference, following repeated threats and assaults that occurred recently at the “Casa del Migrante” (The Immigrant's House).

The bishops urge the authorities "to adopt immediate and effective measures to ensure protection of worker safety in the house of “Belén, Posada del Migrante” and recognize the important work of those providing humanitarian assistance to migrants." The text warns: "You can not ignore the abuses suffered by these people, even whole families, from organized crime, which kidnap immigrants from Central America to extract money from their relatives living in the United States or Mexico, and the abuse that they sometimes receive from federal, state and municipal governments, leaving unpunished crimes committed in the territory.”

In the final section of the statement, the Secretary General of the CEI recalls: "The Church, acting on behalf of the commandment of Jesus Christ, namely, to love God and our brothers, especially the poor and needy, from His Holiness Benedict XVI embraces the following statement: 'This is the mission of the Church and of all the baptized, a mission that with attentive pastoral solicitude is also directed to the varied world of migrants - students outside their country, immigrants, refugees, refugees, displaced persons - including those who are victims of modern forms of slavery, as in the case of trafficking in human persons'. Our responsibility is to express the love that is found in the Gospel message, and the true disciples of Christ are recognized by their mutual love and acceptance of all people.” The statement concludes by invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Immigrants, for the decisions that will be made by authorities to "respect and promote human rights of our migrant brothers.”

Source: FIDES