The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) is the largest annual Jesuit and Catholic social justice gathering in the U.S. It connects institutions for learning, prayer, and advocacy, focusing on issues like immigration, racial justice, and environmental concerns, inspired by the legacy of the 1989 El Salvador martyrs. Serving as the President of FCLC’s Immigration Advocacy Coalition, I was encouraged by Campus Ministry to attend IFTJ. Over three days, I heard from esteemed Jesuit leaders and academics about global issues and the path forward with hope. Most of the breakout sessions I chose to attend focused on migration, although IFTJ covers a vast range of social justice topics.
One significant takeaway for me is a simple yet profound truth: no one chooses to be a refugee. We often discuss “the border” as if it is merely a political issue, but after attending the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, migration across the Mexican-American border feels much more personal.
I keep thinking about Julien Patrick, a guest speaker for our first breakout session, “Beyond the Headlines: Human Stories of Asylum at the Border and Beyond.” A seminary student from Cameroon, Julien decided to dedicate his life to studying philosophy and God. He didn’t leave his home because he wanted to; he left because he became a target after speaking up for a more democratic future for his country. He shared his experience of standing atop the U.S.-Mexico border wall, abandoned by the person he had paid for a ladder. He had to make a split-second decision to jump into the unknown or risk being caught. That kind of choice is beyond my imagination. Yet, despite everything, he came to IFTJ to tell us that there is hope.
Julissa Monje Cruz, the second speaker of this session, sat with her young son beside her. It struck me that she is a mother simply trying to keep her child safe. This goal made her traverse multiple countries, from Honduras to Guatemala to Mexico, and risk everything she had. She has endured severe domestic violence, the loss of a child, and being treated like a criminal in detention centers, despite having all her paperwork in order. Today, because of her trauma, she chooses to serve her community as a middle school teacher in the U.S., someone who provides a “safe space” for kids, particularly those whose first language is not English.
In the breakout session “Ignatian Accompaniment of Migrants Through Kidnappings and Criminalization,” it frustrated me to hear Fr. Brian Strassburger from Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries say that the American immigration system is designed to fail people. It seems as if we have criminalized survival. Whether it’s individuals being kidnapped by cartels or a former seminarian being profiled just for having a tattoo, the entire situation feels backward and cruel. And yet, when asked what still motivates him to get up every morning and work towards migrant justice, Fr. Brian talked about the joy of the migrants themselves.
Dr. Ansel Augustine shared a thought that shifted my perspective: “Don’t attempt to bring Jesus to the margins; find the Jesus already there.” I used to approach people who recently migrated into the U.S. thinking I was there to “help,” but I realized I’m the one who needs to learn. Jesus is already present in the stories of Julien and Julissa.
Finally, Christina Leaño encouraged us to sit, listen, and allow our hearts to break. My heart certainly feels heavier now, but in a way that inspires me to take action. I don’t want to move on and forget these stories. I want to remember that we are all connected and that, regardless of how many walls we build, we have a responsibility to uphold each other’s dignity. Ultimately, the resounding impact of attending the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice is that I am now convinced to believe in the abundance of hope.