A group of Jesuit activists launched a campaign for the humane treatment of illegal immigrants by appealing to national and local politicians.

Jesuit activists hosted the Ignatian Family Advocacy Month, a nationwide effort of the Jesuit Solidarity Network, to learn, pray and act for justice throughout the month of February. The focus of the advocacy was immigration reform, which is finally gaining momentum in Washington D.C.

Susan Weishar, migration specialist at Loyola’s Jesuit Social Research Center, informed students of the details of immigration reform at Loyola University Community Action Program’s open meeting on Feb. 5.

“We have a crisis now. Human dignity and human rights of undocumented immigrants should be respected,” Weishar said.

Weishar lectured on the problems associated with undocumented immigrants. She spoke about how they are currently being taken advantage of by employees and are not given the fundamental rights any human should be allowed.

Josh Daly, interim director of Center for Community Engagement and member of the Ignatian Solidarity Network, also spoke at the meeting. He encouraged the community to visit local district offices with signed petitions encouraging just legislation for humane immigration reform.

As a result of the meeting, biology sophomore Jeremy Randazzo and biology junior Annie McClure led student efforts. They encouraged students to sign postcards addressed to Sen. David Vitter, Sen. Mary Landrieu and Rep. Cedric Richmond. The postcard informed US senators and representatives that Catholics and other supporters of immigrants want elected officials to enact meaningful and compassionate immigration reform legislation.

On Feb. 21, 90 postcards were hand-delivered to Sen. Vitter’s office and members of Jesuit Solidarity Network met with Sen. Vitter’s staff. They used the postcards as a tool to show the support of the community.

“Results of The Ignatian Family Advocacy Month are really spilling over. Legislation takes more than one month. We are looking to amp this up this spring in the national dialogue,” Daly said.

Weishar said that if their efforts become acknowledged, it is possible that a bill on immigration reform will be introduced in the senate around April 9, after Easter break.

Ashley Fruge can be reached at [email protected]