One Way of Living Out our IHM Statement of Commitment to Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors

The city of Scranton and much of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a region of the country that offers a richness of diversity in many forms: cultural, artistic, musical, culinary, and linguistic, to name a few. This richness is the human expression of the many immigrant groups who have called this area home for centuries, from the original Lenape peoples to European immigrants of the last two centuries to newer immigrants and refugees from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Scranton in particular, holds a treasure of diversity!

In addition to this diversity, the people of this area offer a sense of community and an atmosphere of care for their neighbors. Especially evident is the network of local leaders and concerned citizens who periodically gather to plan public events, celebrations, and multi-faith prayer services when an issue arises that needs public witness and attention.

Recently, a Lackawanna County commissioner spoke of his concern for our local immigrant population and the looming threats of federal ICE agents periodically appearing in the area. They have nabbed residents without proper warrants or explanations, detained neighbors and parishioners, and caused fear and distrust among members of the community. He proposed an ordinance, “Protect Our Neighbors Act,” which would prevent Lackawanna County officials from assisting ICE and other agencies with immigration enforcement, ensuring that local law enforcement protects local residents and maintains their confidence. This ordinance would not interfere with federal ICE law enforcement, but it would ensure that local law enforcement does not cooperate in ICE’s distressing tactics.

A network of local leaders has been attending the bi-monthly commissioners’ meetings in support of the proposed ordinance. It is frustrating that the ordinance has not yet become a part of the meeting agenda. Local people continue to speak publicly at the open mic part of the meeting. Citizens have spoken about their own personal experiences with ICE in the area, including a woman who shared her concern about a harrowing encounter that she and her daughter (a U.S. citizen adopted from China in 2009) had with ICE. While witnessing armed men in tactical vests surrounding a local home, the woman took out her phone to record the incident. When ICE agents noticed her, they took pictures and videotaped her and her daughter. The woman fears that she and her daughter may have been entered into an “enemy of the state” database. She is afraid for herself and her daughter.

In the local parish, St. Theresa of Calcutta, where I worship with our Latino community every Sunday, various parishioners have been nabbed; a few off the streets of Scranton as they were going to work or dropping their children off at school, and even some as they were leaving official Immigration appointments in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The IHM Sisters and members of the wider IHM family collaborate with this diverse network in support of the rights of people to migrate and against the plethora of false information being spread about them. IHM associates who are leaders in the Scranton community, a member of the IHM leadership team, and I have joined others who care about the community and value the lives and contributions of our immigrant brothers and sisters. We have spoken in public, and I have personally had the opportunity to share the recent “Statement of Commitment to Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors” published by the IHM Leadership Team. It reads: We promise to:

a)  Extend hospitable hearts and accompaniment to those seeking safety and belonging.
b)  Advocate for just and humane immigration policies that protect families and honor human rights.
c)  Educate and engage our communities in building understanding, empathy, and a culture of welcome.
d)  Serve generously through our ministries, offering support, resources, and hope.
e)  Pray faithfully for all who journey in search of peace and a future for their families.

The statement is based on our rootedness in “Gospel love and our IHM mission and charism. We pledge to stand with our immigrant neighbors, wherever we serve.”

Wherever we may find ourselves, I invite us all to intentionally commit to at least one of these promises. Our 2022-2026 IHM Direction Statement affirms that we “intentionally engage in actions that reflect God’s unconditional love for all creation for the transformation of our world.”  Let this be our time to reflect on the unconditional love of God by our commitment to our immigrant and refugee neighbors in their time of need.

Sister Donna serves as the IHM Congregation’s Director of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.