KINO BORDER INITIATIVE INC

The Kino Border Initiative's mission is to promote U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policies that affirm the dignity of the human person and a spirit of binational solidarity through:
• Direct humanitarian assistance and accompaniment with migrants;
• Social and pastoral education with communities on both sides of the border; and
• Participation in collaborative networks that engage in research and advocacy to transform local, regional, and national immigration policies.

The KBI's three strategies for securing humane, just, workable migration between the United States and Mexico are:

* To provide food, shelter, clothing, first aid, and guidance to deported migrants.

* To educate U.S. and Mexican communities about border issues via immersion programs and presentations.

* To document abuses suffered by migrants; and partner with organizations that reflect our values in advocating for family preservation, justice, and human dignity.

The Kino Border Initiative's strengths are its:

• Deep Catholic identity.
• Strong connection to deeply held values.
• Close interaction with migrants.
• Integrated approach of humanitarian aid, education, research, and advocacy.
• Credibility, which comes from having a board with diverse backgrounds and affiliations.
• Ability to offer accompaniment to visitors.
• Network of collaborators who bring the KBI mission to other locations.

As discussed above, before you can talk to deported migrants about what drives them to cross borders, you must first meet their basic needs. In 2019, the KBI distributed clothing and personal care items and referred numerous migrants to Mexican government services. It also served 131,725 meals to migrants, provided shelter for 296 migrants, provided medical care to 4,059 migrants, and 1,249 migrants were provided with legal orientation or visited in Detention centers.

For example, in 2019, Estrella, 23, original from El Salvador and the mother to 4-year old Blanca. In 2017, her mother was murdered by a cartel because she was unable to pay the “quota” demanded from everyone in the neighborhood. Estrella took on the care of her siblings, Marta (then 9) and Sergio (then 12) in the wake of their mother’s death. When Sergio turned 14, the gang that had killed their mother tried to recruit him; he refused, and the death threats began. Estrella fled with her siblings and daughter, and arrived to Tijuana in May to seek asylum. The family was taken into detention after they presented for asylum and then separated. No one had any idea where their family members were. Meanwhile, Estrella and Blanca were sent back to Tijuana, where Estrella was assaulted. She decided to go to Nogales to explain to officials at a different port of entry what had happened. After a week in detention, Estrella was once again be returned to Mexico to await her court date, scheduled for September in San Diego. She was alone in Nogales when KBI’s Sister Alicia from KBI spotted her and asked her if she needed help. Alicia listened to her story, then took her to KBI’s shelter, where Estrella and Blanca lived for several months prior to their court date. During that time, the two younger siblings were reunited in Michigan, where they lived in a shelter with other minors, and the family’s sponsor—an aunt living in Texas—did everything she could to have the children sent to her, but her efforts were not successful. However, the Kino Border Initiative, our partners in D.C., and the office of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada all advocated for the family’s case. In September, Estrella and Blanca presented for their court date in Tijuana. They left Nogales after having received months of accompaniment. Additionally, the KBI-FIRRP legal fellow program provided orientation and a volunteer attorney. Their case was denied, but Estrella appealed and hey are still awaiting the outcome of the appeal

To educate others about migrants' hardships, the KBI led 49 immersion experiences in 2019, gave 85 presentations, and hosted 82 visits to its Nogales, Sonora, shelter.
But the KBI still has much work to do. U.S. immigration policy does not yet reflect the Catholic social teaching that, while countries have a right to sovereignty, individuals have a right to migrate if they cannot have a dignified way of life in their country of origin.