Resources on Immigration in America

As a Catholic and Lasallian institution, Lewis University takes the plight of refugees and migrating people groups very seriously, as we know Jesus of Nazareth was an exile even during his youth, read about in the Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 2.

"In alignment with the principles outlined in my email of November 18, 2024, and the attached President’s email on Friday, we have been monitoring immigration enforcement in our region and identifying resources for students. Earlier this month, the LU Cares page was updated with a new link for Undocumented and Immigrant Student Resources: Lewis University | Student Services | LU Cares. This was shared with students in an email earlier this morning, along with a new Immigration FAQ page on the LUPD site: Lewis University | Police Department | Immigration FAQs. Some departments also received training from LUPD over the break about immigration enforcement. If you would like more information, LUPD is available to attend department meetings to answer questions or present their training."

- Dr. Christopher Sindt, Provost in the Office of Academic Affairs

Let's take a look at some of these resources provided to our students, staff, faculty, and community members!

With an intention to support the entire student while they attend our school, the LU Cares initiative builds programs to ensure inclusion and a sense of belonging among our community members. They explain it in their own words below:

"Lewis University, guided by its Catholic and Lasallian heritage, is committed to supporting its diverse student population through programs that integrate liberal and professional education. Grounded in the interaction of knowledge and fidelity in the search for truth, Lewis University fosters the development of the whole person through the pursuit of wisdom and justice. Central to its mission is a spirit of association, building a strong community through teaching, learning, and service."

The same program also focuses resources on prevention of sexual misconduct, assisting with food or housing insecurity, provision of period products, and the mental & physical well-being of our student body.

First, here's how this on-campus office describes the work it does:

"The Office for Student Engagement and Multicultural Student Enrichment (SEMSE), in support of University Mission values, empowers students through campus education on issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, religion, and their intersections through advocacy, academic and social enrichment, leadership, and community engagement."

They provide a resource center for student groups and staff/faculty to loan with pre-arranged permission. They organize their DVD library by topic, and one of their subjects is Immigration.

They have these films:

• Dying To Live (DVD - 33 minutes) Drawing on the insights of Pulitzer Prize winning photographers, theologians, church and congressional leaders, activists, musicians and the immigrants themselves, this film explores the place of conflict, pain and hope along the US-Mexico border.
• The Invisible Chapel (DVD - 31 minutes) For over twenty years a migrant chapel remained invisible to the wealthy residents of a San Diego, CA neighborhood.  Every Sunday parish volunteers provided humanitarian assistance and held a church service for over one hundred impoverished agricultural, construction and service industry workers from Mexico.  Local neighbors, along with the San Diego Minutemen and Talk-Radio host clash with the mostly undocumented immigrant congregation.
• One Border One Body (DVD - 30 minutes) One Border, One Body tells the story of a ritural that unites people beyond political constructions which divide them.  Amidst a desert of death and a culture of fear, it testifies to God's universal, undivided, and unrestricted love for all people.  It speaks of the gift and challenge of Christian faith and the call to feed the world's hunger for peace, justice and reconciliation.
• Strangers No Longer (DVD - 22 minutes) This film invites us to look into our past and notice the similarities that exist between our ancestors when they came to this great land, and those who are arriving now.  We are made aware of the many global implications that cause people to migrate to the USA, including our need for more workers.

Email: studentactivities@lewisu.edu

Location: The Brother James Gaffney Student Center – Lower Level.

Hours:

Monday-Wednesday 9:00AM-5:00PM
Thursday 9:00AM-7:00PM
Friday 9:00AM-12:00PM
Saturday & Sunday 9:00AM-2:00PM

With more than a thousand international students attending the Lewis University System, many questions need to be answered for the array of needs these students (and faculty) have. Not only would this office provide opportunities to speak with those immigration policy impacts directly, but the staff and faculty associated with the center can provide good direction for arranging interviews.

"The Office of International Student and Global Scholar Services (ISGSS) provides services and advocacy for international students. The ISGSS office offers assistance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), particularly for visa status maintenance and employment options."

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Learning Resource Center 3rd Floor (LR-306)
Email: isgss@lewisu.edu

Drop in for brief consultations or schedule an appointment for services exceeding 20 minutes (including Economic Hardship, Optional Practical Training, Social Security etc.)

Our on-campus police department (aka LUPD) has responded to the provost's call to support LewisU students, whether residents of local municipalities like Romeoville or Joliet, or attending as an international student. The link below takes you to their resource question and answer page regarding how on-site law enforcement will handle jurisdictional compliance with city, county, state, and federal forces.

Here's how they introduce their FAQ:

"The Lewis University Police Department is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all students and employees. LUPD serves and protects our entire community.  Laws and policies in effect in Illinois, and on our campus, are designed to create an environment where our students, regardless of their status, can feel safe and secure as they pursue their educational goals knowing they are protected."

Please feel empowered to contact LUPD for questions that could impact your research, especially if it has local implications. The Police Department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round.