Edmund Rice Schools Immersion Program on the U.S.-Mexico Border

From November 2024 to January 2025, 10 Edmund Rice schools participated in the annual Brownsville, Texas Immersion Program on the U.S.-Mexico border. This immersion program provides students with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the realities that migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees face as they seek a better life. During the immersion, students serve with a variety of local non-profit organizations that offer crucial services and care for recent arrivals to the United States and have the opportunity to learn directly from these providers.

Upon return from the immersion program, Edmund Rice students and schools have creatively advocated for change in different ways, including:

• Hosting prayer services and reflective gatherings to pray for change,
• Creating immigration conferences with students from neighboring schools to promote action,
• Contacting local leaders and lawmakers to encourage legislation that protects vulnerable migrants.

On March 13, members of the Iona University Community held an on-campus event to promote solidarity and action to support migrants and refugees arriving in the United States. Using Pope Francis’ recent letter to the Catholic Bishops of the United States, the event highlighted the call to stand in solidarity with and care for migrants, as told through examples of sacred scripture from various religious traditions.

In the coming weeks, student ACTION Ambassadors will have the opportunity to participate in a campaign hosted by the Edmund Rice Christian Brother North America Province that will be centered on advocating for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.