We are thrilled to welcome Michele Pistone, who is a professor of law at Villanova University and the director of the VIISTA online program, which trains people to serve as “accredited representatives” in immigration court without a law degree. She emphasizes the importance of legal representation for migrants and paints the startling picture of what it is like to see young children brought into immigration court and left to represent themselves. She shares stories that inspire her of people putting their passion to work, like a graduate of the VIISTA program who is helping Catholics who were persecuted in Nicaragua with their court cases.
Brian and Joe recount stories from a recent trip to Houston. First, they share the details of their meeting with Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, the superior general of the global Society of Jesus. A native of Venezuela, Fr. Sosa shares a passion for immigration and understands the complexities of border dynamics. While in Houston, the Del Camino team also met up with Lisbeth and her 20-year-old daughter for breakfast. Lisbeth ran the kitchen in a Reynosa shelter, and we greatly enjoyed the food that she would prepare. She used to make us baleadas, a popular dish from Honduras, although her daughter was quick to complain that she still hasn’t taught her how to make them yet!