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Gathering calls for policy to recognize human dignity of immigrants

The United States must do a better job of welcoming immigrants and refugees, not because of what they can do for the country but because they are human beings. That was the main message of “You Are My Neighbor. Immigration: Who Is Affected, Why You Should Care and What You Can Do,” a March 1 gathering hosted by Southside Catholic Peace and Justice and more than 40 faith groups and community organizations at St. Barnabas Church, 10134 S. Longwood Drive.
Father Gary Graf, left, was among the participants who gathered at St. Barnabas Parish for an evening of prayer and discussion on immigration on March 1, 2018. "You Are My Neighbor" was the theme for the interfaith gathering, which included discussion, music and poetry. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Irakere Picon, a DACA recipient and staff attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center, shares his story at "You Are My Neighbor," a March 1, 2018, interfaith gathering to discuss immigration at St. Barnabas Parish. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Rev. Linda Wygant of Grace Seeds Ministry reflects on what immigrants have meant to the United States at the March 1, 2018, "You Are My Neighbor" gathering at St. Barnabas Parish. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Mercy Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy, who minister to detained immigrants in local jails, listen to speakers address immigration issues at the "You Are My Neighbor" gathering at St. Barnabas Parish March 1, 2018. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Participants gathered at St. Barnabas Parish for an evening of prayer and discussion on immigration on March 1, 2018. "You Are My Neighbor" was the theme in which Catholics joined people of other faiths for an evening of discussion, music and poetry to develop a better understanding of the current immigration issues and proposed federal changes. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Precious Blood Sister Mumbi Kigutha (center) speaks as Mary Meg McCarthy and Irakere Picon listen during “You Are My Neighbor,” an evening of prayer and discussion about immigration on March 1, 2018, at St. Barnabas Parish in the Beverly neighborhood. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Participants gathered at St. Barnabas Parish for "You Are My Neighbor," an evening of prayer and discussion on immigration on March 1, 2018. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Holy Cross Brother Francisco Gillette, from Ghana, plays an African drum to open and close the "You Are My Neighbor" event at St. Barnabas Parish March 1, 2018. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Ayah Chehade performs a spoken-word poem at "You Are My Neighbor" March 1, 2018, at St. Barnabas Parish. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) speaks about his efforts to pass the DREAM Act at "You Are My Neighbor" March 1, 2018, at St. Barnabas Parish. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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