Jesuits ready to work with Rep. Ciscomani, others on immigration policy

Kelly Ryan

Submitted photo

A mere 15% reduction in the migrant workforce would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. A report from the University of Arizona suggests a reduction of this size would result in 3,300 lost full-time-equivalent jobs for American citizens, lost labor income of about $200 million and lost state tax revenue of approximately $25 million.”

In 1687, Jesuits started establishing missions in the Sonoran Desert. The missions, including San Xavier del Bac, founded in 1700 by Father Eusebio Kino, S.J., were highly successful evangelically and economically, creating dynamic communities.

The Jesuit presence in Arizona continued through the founding of the U.S. and remains active today. Jesuits have long assisted immigrants, from those who came to work in mines to present-day immigrants who often come seeking safe haven. 

In December 2024, Jesuits went into the Sonoran Desert on a different kind of mission: the search for remains of missing migrants. Migrants face dire circumstances in the quest to reach the U.S. Persecution, violence and poverty have caused millions to journey north though they know they will likely suffer violence, could become victims of trafficking, and might die. 

In a better world, we wouldn’t need to offer people asylum. But there are many countries where citizens are persecuted for their political views, religion, race or other factors. We must preserve, with reforms, the U.S. asylum system for those who need it and have made the difficult decision to leave their home countries.

We likewise should support foreign assistance that helps countries create conditions in which people can stay and flourish at home, living, working, attending school and raising a family without fear.

If a person is undeserving of protection and has no lawful reason to be in the U.S., then he or she is subject to removal. If the U.S. government sends someone home or removes them to a third country, it should be done in a safe, orderly and humane manner. 

There certainly has been a rise in unlawful border activity. The scale, especially the hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied children arriving, has increased exponentially in the past decade and must be addressed. But it would be counter-productive to reduce or eliminate lawful immigration pathways. Our economy relies on immigrants, especially in fields with labor shortages like agriculture, the trades, and technology. Our universities are enriched with the research — and tuition — of foreign students. 

Numerous studies document the economic contributions of immigrants. In Arizona, immigrants make up nearly 70% of agricultural workers. Agriculture in Arizona is vital to the state’s success, contributing $30.9 billion to the economy annually — and Arizona helps feed the country: The city of Yuma alone produces 90% of U.S. leafy greens and other vegetables from October through April. Without immigrant workers, this simply would not be feasible.

A mere 15% reduction in the migrant workforce would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. A report from the University of Arizona suggests a reduction of this size would result in 3,300 lost full-time-equivalent jobs for American citizens, lost labor income of about $200 million and lost state tax revenue of approximately $25 million.

Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, and his parents are prime examples of the contributions immigrants make to Arizona. These go beyond the economic; they set the standard for hard work and sacrifice — things that have made America great. He has talked of the enormous compromises his parents made to give him and his sisters a shot at the American Dream, and how faith and determination on their immigration journey paved the way. 

Rep. Ciscomani, of Tucson, is the first naturalized citizen from Mexico elected to the House of Representatives from Arizona. A member of the House Committee on Appropriations, he is influencing immigration policy. He correctly says we cannot look at the U.S.-Mexico border through a single lens, just like we cannot resort to only deterrence or enforcement strategies to regain order. He shares the view of my organization, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA, that we have to improve our immigration system, which is “slow, bureaucratic and expensive.”

Organizations like JRS/USA stand ready to work with Rep. Ciscomani, the administration, law enforcement and other nonprofits to address our immigration challenges. It’s time to finally solve these problems. Success will require both pragmatism and compassion — and the lived experience that Rep. Ciscomani and the many immigrants he represents can provide.

Editor’s note: Kelly Ryan is the president of Jesuit Refugee Service USA. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.