“Is Catholic Charities of New Orleans Fueling Illegal Immigration Into the City?”

It’s the age old question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Is Catholic Charities fueling illegal immigration into New Orleans with its social justice programs? Or, is Catholic Charities merely assisting undocumented migrants and refugees who are already in New Orleans?

According to the organization’s website, www.ccano.org, Catholic Charites offers a wide range of welfare programs and services to citizens, immigrants, and refugees alike. These programs run the gamut and include housing, health, employment, children, family, senior, and disaster assistance. One particular program, “Immigration & Refugee Services,” offers case management, employment assistance, cultural orientation, legal aid, and “English as a Second Language” (ESL) & citizenship classes. Under this section on the website, three photos are included of purported immigrant clients spanning Latin Americana and the Middle East. Under another section on the website, Catholic Charities has jobs posted to assist these transnational clients ranging from an immigration attorney to a legal secretary, which require applicants to be fluent in speaking and writing both English & Spanish.

According to one unnamed source, who “The NOLA Tabloid” will not identify, a woman who had recently entered the United States illegally from Peru and spoke very little English, was aboard a Canal Street streetcar and asking directions to get to Catholic Charities’ downtown office for assistance. The woman was very conspicuously dressed in clothing native to Latin America.

These revelations come on the heels of an eight-month, immigration standoff in Mid City between First Grace United Methodist Church and ICE agents over the attempted deportation of an undocumented worker from El Salvador, who had lived in the U.S. and moved to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

So, is Catholic Charites advertising & promoting a sanctuary within New Orleans for undocumented migrants? Are undocumented migrants being housed by Catholic Charities at its apartment buildings?

What do you think? “KNOW THE NOLA!” Stay current with “The NOLA Tabloid” for more on its exclusive series about Catholic Charities by Liking on Facebook & Following on Twitter @thenolatabloid