Migrants Find Welcoming Arms In Church Parishes Across North Jersey

NEW JERSEY — Several church-affiliated groups in Newark, Montclair and Jersey City have been reaching out to migrants with aid and a friendly face – not scorn – as a recent swell of immigration cases continues to build in the Tri-State Area.

According to statistics published by the American Immigration Council in 2019, New Jersey is home to more than two million immigrants, the fifth-largest total in the nation.

That number is expected to rise considering the wave of migrants and refugees getting bussed north from Southern border cities, including tens of thousands of people brought to New York City in the past year, many of whom are families with children.

Many people have supported the migrants and welcomed them with open arms. But other New Jersey and New York residents have responded to the immigration influx with jeers and criticism, with one resident of the Empire State recently setting up a loudspeaker to deliver an unwelcoming message to his new neighbors: “Immigrants are not safe here.”

• See Related: Loudspeaker Tells Migrant Shelter Arrivals They're 'Not Safe Here'
• See Related: Migrant Crisis 'Will Destroy NYC', Adams Says At UWS Town Hall

After a report that one of New Jersey's airports could house asylum-seeking migrants from New York City, Gov. Phil Murphy he does not "see any scenario" where the state could take in asylum-seekers, whether it be in Atlantic City or anywhere else in the state.

• See Related: NYC Migrants To NJ? Murphy Says Garden State Not 'The Wild West'

In contrast, several parishes across the Newark Archdiocese have been reaching out to their neighbors in need, providing them with food, shelter, legal aid and other forms of assistance, church leaders said.

The archdiocese serves 1.3 million Catholics in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. According to Hispanic Ministry statistics, Hispanic residents make up 40 percent of the archdiocese’s worshipping population.

• See Related: 'Unity In Diversity': Hispanic Heritage Mass Returns To Newark

The issue of immigration was one of several hot-button topics that were raised in a 2022 survey taken in the archdiocese. As part of the survey, many North Jersey Catholics said they want their churches to keep promoting social outreach, build vibrant communities for their members, and “do a better job at welcoming all people.”

• See Related: North Jersey Catholics Want To Reach Youth, See Women Ordained

“When we seek to serve our immigrant brothers and sisters in different ways, it is a sign that the church is universal,” said Father Timothy Graff, director of the Office for Social Concerns.

Here are some of the ways that parishes in the Newark Archdiocese have been supporting those in need, spokespeople said.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Bishop Francis Center for Legal Immigration Services has been helping migrants and refugees since 1976, serving approximately 6,300 individuals annually. Its work includes providing free and low-cost legal representation during all phases of the immigration process, including removal proceedings. Staff also provides significant support to unaccompanied minors, from offering free legal assistance to reuniting vulnerable youth with their families. And for those who need further support, the program helps with obtaining cash assistance, medical referrals, English-language training, and employment readiness resources.

To learn more about these and other services offered by Catholic Charities’ Bishop Francis Center for Legal Immigration Services, call 973-733-3516 or visit www.ccannj.org/immigration-and-refugee/.

St. Lucy’s Church in Newark

As a religious institution, St. Lucy’s Church cannot help people in court — but that does not stop it from supporting migrants and refugees in need. The parish regularly partners with organizations like First Friends of New Jersey & New York to find lawyers who can represent detained immigrants, which has led to several people being saved from deportation over relatively minor infractions. It has also played a significant role in bringing about legislative change through the years. Most significantly, parish staff spent 10 years working with Faith in New Jersey to rally local leaders and lobby the state government until undocumented immigrants were legally allowed to obtain driver’s licenses.

To inquire about St. Lucy’s immigration services, contact Omar Navarro at 973-803-4207 or stlucysnwk@saintlucy.net.

The Mercy Houses of Newark and Jersey City

The Mercy Houses of Newark and Jersey City — which are operated by the archdiocesan Respect Life Office — provide food, clothing, and other essentials to anyone in need. But the number of immigrants they serve is growing substantially; in fact, roughly half of the 200 clients they help weekly are migrants and refugees from all over the world. To meet their specialized needs, The Mercy Houses have expanded their services to include getting government ID cards and rental assistance up to $1,000. They even helped 17 children from Latino countries enroll in charter schools.

For more information on The Mercy Houses — which will soon open additional locations in Elizabeth and Bogota — contact Cheryl Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org or visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house/.

Mother Theresa House

Created through a partnership between Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark and St. Theresa of Calcutta Parish in Montclair, the Mother Theresa House is a temporary refuge for asylum-seeking families in Montclair. Upon moving into the house, immigrants connect with local volunteers who help them learn English, provide transportation, and acquaint them with community resources. Once the families are ready to be self-sufficient, the volunteers help them transition to independent living.

For more information about the Mother Theresa House, which can take in a maximum of 12 people at one time, call 973-733-3516 or visit www.ccannj.org/immigration-and-refugee/.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.