In a powerful show of unity and compassion, more than two dozen congregations of Catholic sisters across the United States have formed a coalition to support migrants stranded at the U.S.-Mexico border. The newly formed Transborder Coalition for Border Ministries, led by California sisters, has pledged up to $300,000 to assist border ministries run by women religious who provide legal support, food, shelter, and medical aid to migrants in need.
Spearheaded by Sister Ann Durst, a lawyer and founder of the Casa Cornelia Law Center in San Diego, the coalition emphasizes cross-border solidarity. “We speak for the poor here, north and south of the border,” said Durst, highlighting that the group’s mission transcends national policies and focuses directly on human needs.
On the U.S. side, the coalition is prioritizing legal services through organizations such as Casa Cornelia Law Center and the Southern California Immigration Project. Across the border in Tijuana and Mexicali, the sisters are supporting groups like Casa de Los Pobres and Border Compassion, which provide vital shelter and nourishment for stranded families. These efforts have become more urgent as many legal routes for migrants have been shut down in recent years.
Why was this coalition formed now?
With U.S. immigration policies shifting dramatically—suspensions of asylum, end of parole programs, and threats of deportation—many migrants now find themselves stuck. Some are unable to move forward or return home, especially as resources on both sides of the border continue to dwindle.
One example is Border Compassion, led by Sister Suzanne Jabro, which operates in Mexicali, where summer temperatures can hit 120°F. “They can’t go forward and they can’t go back,” Jabro said. “We’ve had these waves of policies. It goes from one extreme to the other. We have nobody [in shelters], then we have 400.”
On the California side, the need for legal assistance is urgent. Sisters are helping migrants navigate court processes and educating them about their rights in the face of fear and uncertainty. Sister Lisa Buscher, based in San Diego, said the sisters are simply trying to show love and compassion. “We’re folks who are just trying to be the presence of love in our broken-hearted world.”
The closure of support organizations like Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Catholic Charities of San Diego, and the Migrant Welcome Center has made the sisters’ work even more vital. With funding cuts and staff layoffs, migrant shelters in Mexico are under more strain, and the sisters are stepping in to fill the gap.
While the coalition is not forming a new organization, it’s a united effort to pool resources, time, and energy from across the country. The goal is not just to provide tangible help, but also to offer moral support for sisters already working in challenging conditions.
“This work can feel overwhelming,” said Buscher. “But the greatest gift is that we have each other. We’re not alone. We’re doing it together.”
Their collective mission is rooted in a simple yet profound call: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. With love as their guide, these California sisters and their nationwide allies are ensuring that even in the most difficult times, compassion continues to cross borders.