Kathleen Smythe

Professor of History and Sustainabilty
Xavier University

Project Title:

Developing AJCU Network for Central American Refugees and Asylees Through Kino Border Initiative

Overview:

This project seeks to use the AJCU network to increase support for the work of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) by providing resources and contacts for refugees and asylees at three institutions initially. Specifically, at Xavier, working through a network of organizations and groups, I am trying to find a point of contact for Joanna Williams, Education Director for KBI, when she has a family in need of placement.

Rational:

The rationale for the project is that immigration is one of the more urgent issues facing the global community. The U.S. and Mexican bishops have called us to “welcome the stranger,” declaring that people have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families and that refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection.

Project Details:

At each of the four participating institutions we are laying the groundwork for being able to host refugees and asylees. After returning from the immersion trip in January, I have had conversations with the Chief Mission Officer and her staff, the Director of Social Justice Ministry at our campus parish (Bellarmine), and the Director of Catholic Social Services here in Cincinnati. Both the Chief Mission Officer and the President have endorsed the project and I am now working with people on the Immigration Task Force within Bellarmine to develop robust community networks to support asylees. In particular, I am working with Theology professor, Gillian Ahlgren to incorporate housing and support for one or two KBI families at a time into a proposal for a House of Peace (a former Jesuit house close to campus) to support domestic women in recovery and growth after traumatizing circumstances.

Indications of Success:

There are several forces converging at Xavier to try to institutionally respond to the need of people in Central America who are seeking to make a home in the United States. Between the Bellarmine team and the House of Peace proposal, I am fairly positive that we might be in a position to say “yes” within the next year to one of KBI’s families in need.

Challenges:

The needs and risks of taking in a family from another country and culture are significant and require a pooling of personal and institutional resources. It will take some time, if the House of Peace project falls through, to build those resources and networks. This is not something that one faculty member or even Xavier’s Mission and Identity office can take on alone. Even once the pieces are in place, providing an adequate set of resources over the course of two years requires consistent commitment.