Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

In today's polarized climate, the question of whether welcoming a stranger or sheltering undocumented immigrants conflicts with state and local governments was raised by Rev. Craig B. Mousin, M.Div., during St. John’s University’s annual Vincentian Heritage Lecture.

The lecture, part of the university's Founder’s Week celebration, took place on September 23 in the Belson Moot Courtroom at the School of Law. Rev. Mousin is an Adjunct Professor of Law and Ombudsperson at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. He founded the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center in 1984, now known as the National Immigrant Justice Center.

Rev. Mousin discussed what a Vincentian response to this climate should look like within legal boundaries and emphasized adapting tools used by Vincent and St. Louise de Marillac for contemporary issues.

Referring to recent events, Rev. Mousin mentioned Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Annunciation House in El Paso, TX—a volunteer organization offering hospitality to migrants—accusing it of human smuggling and trafficking.

“Part of this is political, as well as legal,” Rev. Mousin stated. “Calling them illegal aliens, and saying that they’re part of the border invasion.” He noted that Texas sent newly arrived immigrants to cities like Chicago and New York with little warning: “We’ve really had to do a lot of Vincentian collaboration, trying to find people qualifying housing and shelters.”

He added that Texas is attempting to use state law to override federal immigration policy: “[Texas] is saying if you offer charity to those in need and offer homeless people shelter, you’re going to violate the law.”

Rev. Mousin pointed out that Texas has targeted ministries such as those of the Diocese of Brownsville: “For example, the state wants to shut down humanitarian rescue centers that serve more than 1,000 migrants a day.” The diocese argues their charitable work stems from their mission inspired by Gospel teachings.

He cited data from the League of United Latin American Citizens showing over 561 anti-immigrant proposals across 45 states between 2020 and 2024—a significant increase since 2020.

“It’s not just the border states that are anti-immigrant at this point,” he stressed. He also highlighted dangers at border crossings in Arizona or Texas due to desert conditions: “The International Organization for Migration has called the US–Mexico border the deadliest land crossing in the world.” Despite these risks, Arizona prosecuted volunteers who left water for dying migrants; one volunteer was convicted.

Rev. Mousin explained that proposed legislation like Protecting Federal Funds from Human Trafficking and Smuggling Act would defund any US nonprofit found complicit in human smuggling or worsening crises at borders.

This stance has led to threats against Catholic Charities nationwide as immigration remains highly polarizing: "We have an obligation to be the ones."

Rev. Mousin encouraged students by referencing Blessed Frédéric Ozanam's approach during polarizing times: “He invited his colleagues to step into the divide that separates us... We can have strong feelings yet somehow we have to make this divide not break us apart.”

He urged students to draw inspiration from Ozanam’s life: “It is so exciting what you can accomplish when you have a few friends helping each other.”

Another lesson from Vincent involves creating institutions for community battles supporting missions: "Vincent was skilled at building community... insightful about law."

Ultimately, Rev. Mousin concluded with Vincent's principle combining justice with charity: "Seek first God’s justice... Justice presupposes love."