Reuniting migrant and refugee families
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
Upholding the dignity of immigrants is at the heart of each day’s
work for Deacon Joseph W. Lonergan, a permanent deacon of the Philadelphia
Archdiocese who is also an attorney with the Archdiocese’s Catholic
Social Services.
“It’s a part of ‘Love your neighbor.’ That’s
what it really comes down to,” said Lonergan, 59, a member of Mary,
Mother of the Redeemer Parish in North Wales.
“We are reaching out to serve them,” he said. “It’s
not a direct effort at conversion — nor do we serve only Catholics.
We are serving anyone who needs the services.”
Lonergan’s work includes smoothing the way for immigrants who are
applying for citizenship in the United States — individuals with
varied stories. There are those who came here, married U.S. citizens,
and now seek green cards. And there are those who have been in the United
States for a long period of time and now seek “cancellation of removal,”
so they can remain in the country, and obtain a green card, on the grounds
that a U.S. citizen — such as an employer or family member —
would suffer an extreme hardship if they had to leave the country.
He also works with refugees, with people seeking political asylum, and
with those who have been granted asylum and now need green cards.
He often finds that part of his work involves easing immigrants’
fears when they report to court, Lonergan said: “People who come
here seeking asylum, because of their fear of their own government …
tend to be very apprehensive of the United States government.”
He guides his clients through the legal process, advising them on what
needs to be done, when, and where possible. “They’re all interested
in being able to work legally so that they can take care of themselves,”
he said. “That’s one of the first things they ask. They don’t
come here looking for a free ride.”
Many have left families behind and are seeking ways to support them from
afar, Lonergan said.
He is moved by the resiliency of people seeking asylum, many of whom suffered
persecution in their own countries before fleeing to the United States,
and yet have managed to build a new life here.
Establishing them as citizens in this democracy, he said, is “one
of the more satisfying parts of the job.”
“They’ve had a very tough time in their native country,”
he said. “They come here looking for the help of the government
to let them stay here, and then bring their families over — which
they can do once they’re granted asylum.”
It’s a time-consuming process. It can take three years to obtain
asylum status. Then, bringing family members to the United States can
take another year — or longer.
“That’s a very rewarding thing, too — to be able to
help somebody not only stay here, but then bring his family over,”
Lonergan added. “Working here is a way of living my faith.”
In such work, Lonergan said, he finds satisfaction “helping others
of God’s children … working to improve their condition on
this earth.
“We’re all created equal in the eyes of God. … We should
all be treated with equal respect.”
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215)
587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.