Today's refugee children are 'tomorrow's leaders'

By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | Immigrants and their children may be at the top of the news and President Obama's agenda; but South Florida Catholics have cared for refugee children for more than a half-century, as Catholic Legal Services stressed at its annual banquet.

The awards banquet, held Nov. 20, took the theme of unaccompanied minors — not only the 60,000-plus children from Central America who have sought refuge in the U.S. within the past year, but those from Operation Pedro Pan who have become prominent Americans.

"We're upholding them as an example of the potential of unaccompanied minors," said Randolph P. McGrorty, CEO of Catholic Legal Services. "They are not castaway children. They are tomorrow's leaders."

The four honorees of CLS' New American Awards, indeed, stood as vivid cases in point.

Frank Angones became a lawyer and the first Cuban-born president of the Florida Bar. Tony Argiz became an accountant and chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Carlos Eire became an author and university professor. And Willy Chirino found fame as a musician, composer and producer.

More than 300 suited and gowned attendees packed the Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island for the event. They heard choral and mariachi music and watched a video feed of President Obama announcing his new immigration measures.

But most of all, they heard of CLS' ongoing fight for immigrants, handling 2,000 cases each month — with some clients as young as 2, who would otherwise face judges alone. 

"This is a good way to show solidarity with the people," said Cardinal Chibly Langlois, of Les Cayes, Haiti, who was invited by Archbishop Thomas Wenski to the event. "The mission of the Church is to bring people together and recognize their rights."

Archbishop Wenski even struck an immigration theme in saying grace over dinner.

"You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but we would also call you Migrant of Migrants," he prayed. "You lived among us as a citizen of this world so that we could become citizens of heaven. And you told us that we receive that kingdom when we treat the least of these as we treat you."

Dinner chatter faded as Obama's face loomed on the TV projection screen set up beside the stage. Faces turned solemn as he outlined his new immigration policy. But when he promised law-abiding immigrants with children that "you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation," the ballroom erupted in applause.

That promise resonated with Jhonny Londono, one of several students attending from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami. Like several seminarians, Londono got help from CLS and the archdiocese in coming to America.

"Because of them, I can be here and study and travel around the country," said Londono, who transferred from a seminary in his native Colombia. "I know a family in New Jersey; only half of them are legal, and they were afraid to go to Manhattan with me."

American-born seminarians, such as Andres Lapadula, took an interest in the CLS banquet, too. "As future priests and pastors, we should support these people who do such selfless work," he said. "You can see it's not just a job; it's a ministry."

Even before the presidential address, Frank Angones was praising the idea of helping immigrant children. He remembers first stepping onto American soil — June 13, 1961 — at 11 years old. He said most Pedro Pans remember their arrival as well.

"I hope the president's speech will be remembered beyond today," Angones said.

Fellow honoree Tony Argiz agreed. He voiced sympathy for children of illegal immigrants who were born in the U.S. "They deserve to stay here, and they're going to be a success. And that's coming from a Republican."

Carlos Eire, recovering from a concussion he received in an accident, gave his speech via video. The author of “Waiting for Snow in Havana”told of several experiences he shared with fellow Pedro Pans — and with today's unaccompanied minors.

One was the "confusing and paradoxical" nature of the experience, said Eire, a professor of history and religious studies at Yale University. "You've left your parents, but you’ve also left the horrors your parents wanted you to escape. You're immensely free, but at the same time you're immensely afraid of what might happen."

He compared being an unaccompanied minor to a "serious injury or a serious trauma. But the level of care can make so much difference." He urged his listeners to do what they can "to ensure that (the children) don’t go back to the hell in their countries."

For one honoree, the honors were coming too fast. Angie Chirino accepted one of the New American Awards for her father, Willie — who was in Las Vegas to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys for creating the fusion of rock, jazz, Latin music and Caribbean rhythms known as the Miami Sound.

Her thank-you included a rendition of her song “Los Hijos de Los Hijos,” accompanied on acoustic guitar. It was one of three musical performances at the event, including Mariachi Voces de America and Les Choristes from the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.

Also speaking was Jacob Ratzan, local president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. With 750 members in its South Florida chapter, AILA provides pro bono representation and mentors younger attorneys with CLS. The association also sponsored the Nov. 20 dinner.

"CLS reminds me why I became an immigration lawyer," Ratzan said. "It helps the most vulnerable people in our community and reunites families. Let us not stop fighting to help them."

The next generation of warrior lawyers attended the dinner as well: At least four were from the St. Thomas University School of Law. They said they had already seen cases while working with the university's Immigration Clinic, where children were brought before judges with no lawyers to defend them.

"It was inspirational to see how to combine a legal background and religion," said Walwin Taylor, one of the students. "People talk about separation of church and state. But I find it useful to see how religion influences a sense of justice and a willingness to treat people fairly."