Urgency Felt During Legislative Visits Focused on Immigration

April 15, 2025

By Monica Hatcher, Director, CCVI Social Concerns & Communications

Amid near-daily developments from Washington, D.C., to identify and deport unauthorized migrants, CCVI Sisters joined Sisters and associates from other Congregations in Texas to visit state lawmakers in Austin to urge opposition to new state measures also targeting immigrant families and children.

As constituents, CCVI Sisters Celeste Trahan, Congregational Leader, Ricca Dimalibot, Joyce Susan Njeri Mbataru, Betty Campos Arias, Kim-Phuong Tran, and Ethel Puno, also joined by C.V.I. Sister Maria Eleanor Caisido, met with Texas State Sen. Carol Alvarado and Texas Rep. Christina Morales in Austin on April 9. The Villa de Matel is located in both of the lawmakers’ districts.

“Visiting the Capitol inspired me about the importance of civic participation in advocating for vulnerable populations,” Sr. Joyce said. “Interacting with lawmakers can influence policy decisions and demonstrates our public commitment to social justice,” she added.

Specifically, the group was in Austin to oppose state bills to expand federal immigration enforcement into local communities by increasing state funding and involving local law enforcement in the massive federal crackdown on undocumented families. They also drew attention to a provision within a school voucher bill to bar undocumented students from participating, and spoke about the need to care for creation in light of new bills that would make it harder for wind and solar energy producers to operate in Texas.

The event in Austin, the second organized by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious’ Region XII Justice Promoters Committee, capped several months of online meetings with Texas policy experts who explained the issues and the bills in detail, all against the ever darkening reality facing immigrants.

“Forming our consciences has been an important part of our work, even though the actions being taken against immigrants appear patently unjust and possibly illegal. This means doing our homework, discerning what is right in light of Catholic Social Teaching and then taking action,” said Monica Hatcher, CCVI Communications and Social Concerns Director, who served on the justice group’s core planning team. “Right now, the stakes are so high and demand our voices and active participation.”

The Church encourages Catholics to bring their faith into the public square by promoting justice, defending human dignity, and working for the common good. The trip to Austin was an important, public expression of that, as Sr. Joyce pointed out.

“This is one important way we can promote equality and ensure that marginalized voices are heard in the pursuit of a more equitable society,” she said.