Mexican Jesuits Call on Government and Citizens to Respond to Caravan with Respect

State of the Mexican Province of the Society of Jesus in the Caravan of Migrants of Honduras

“A change of mentality is needed: to move from considering the other as a threat to our comfort to assessing him or her as someone whose life experience and values can contribute a lot and contribute to the wealth of our society. For this reason, the fundamental attitude is to go out to meet the other, to welcome him, to know him and to recognize him.” (Pope Francis, January 14, 2018)

The Jesuits of Mexico call on the government and Mexican migration authorities to respect at all times the human rights of the thousands of migrants that make up the caravan from Honduras, which is trying to reach the United States, in search of a better life.

We are concerned about the humanitarian crisis that can be generated on the border with Guatemala, due to the lack of drinking water, food and access to facilities that allow them to satisfy their basic needs. Let us do what is necessary to mitigate their suffering to the fullest.

We also call on Mexican society so that we can all open our hearts to hospitality and solidarity with our migrant brothers in the best possible way, understanding the serious realities of violence and poverty of those who flee in their countries of origin.

We are a country from which thousands of people emigrate every year to the United States with the intention of living better and giving a better future to their families. We know firsthand the human drama that Mexicans suffer when they make the decision to leave their families and homes, to suffer abuse and even die trying to cross the border with the United States.

In Mexico, authorities, and society, in general, have to be consistent with our values and demands of respect for our fellow citizens, to give hospitality and necessary attention to the human beings who knock on our door in search of support.

Recall that “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” are the four verbs that articulate the response that Pope Francis proposes to face the dramatic reality of so many migrants and refugees fleeing wars, persecutions, natural disasters, and poverty.

“These people, who are our brothers and sisters, need” continuous protection,” regardless of their immigration status. Their fundamental rights and dignity must be protected and defended. Special attention must be paid to migrant children, their families, those who are victims of human trafficking networks and those who are displaced because of conflicts, natural disasters and persecution. All of them expect us to have the courage to destroy the wall of that “comfortable and silent complicity” that aggravates their situation of helplessness, and we put our attention, our compassion and dedication in them.” (Pope Francis, September 21, 2017)