Join the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) and Marquette University for the 2022 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative (CIII) conference from September 13-14th. This hybrid event will take place at Marquette’s campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with virtual access for those unable to attend in-person. We are also in the process of organizing in-person site visits to migrant ministries and programs in Milwaukee on September 12th. Since its inception in 2013, the CIII initiative has sought to strengthen the individual and collective work of diverse Catholic institutions, programs, and ministries with immigrants and refugees. This year's event will feature plenary presentations, workshops, and events on diverse topics, including:

✔︎ Forming Catholic leaders on Catholic social teaching on migrants and refugees.
✔︎ Building a whole-of-church response to multiple displacement crises.
✔︎ International migration, the future of work and Laudato Si.
✔︎ Racism in US immigration policy and practice.
✔︎ Lessons in working with immigrants from the COVID-19 crisis.
✔︎ Crafting holistic responses to the causes of forced migration.
✔︎ The work of catholic institutions at international borders.
✔︎ Rebuilding the US refugee and legal immigration systems.
✔︎ Building welcoming and inclusive parishes.
✔︎ Catholic responses to human trafficking.
✔︎ Immigrant youth participation and leadership in Catholic institutions.
✔︎ Immigrant integration in the Midwest.

Confirmed participants now include:
- Fr. Robert Vitillo (International Catholic Migration Commission)
- Rachelle Wenger (CommonSpirit Health)
- Bp. Mark Seitz (Diocese of El Paso)
- Joanna Williams (Kino Border Initiative)
- Kathy Curran (Catholic Health Association)
- Todd Scribner (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Migrant and Refugee Services - USCCB/MRS)
- Bill Canny (USCCB/MRS)
- Prof. Andrew Kim (Marquette University)
- Fr. Daniel Groody (Notre Dame University)
- Fr. Pat Murphy (Casa del Migrante)
- Joan Rosenhauer (Jesuit Refugee Service USA)
- Brian Fraga (National Catholic Reporter)
- Marjean Perhot (Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston)
- Anna Gallagher (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. - CLINIC).

The conference fee is $100 for in person attendance, which includes meals during the conference program. The conference fee to attend virtually is $25. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all in-person attendees. Please confirm your vaccination status when you register. Discounts and fee waivers are available for those indicating financial need. Marquette students, staff, and faculty, as well as conference moderators and speakers may also attend the conference free of charge. To request a discount or fee waiver, please contact Melissa Katsoris at mkatsoris@cmsny.org.