Mexican Immigrant Discusses Current Immigration Issues

Hilda Cruz immigrated to the US as a child and became anactivist for immigrant rights. She is a spiritual coach for social justice leaders. Her writings:

*https://a.storyblok.com/f/45074/x/f12ffd15bc/called-to-welcome-and-accompany-asylum-booklet.pdf Called to Welcome and Accompany Asylum Seekers is an easy-to-navigate toolkit that includes an invitation to host a dialogue leading to collective discernment on how to engage your faith community or ministry in standing in solidarity andaccompanying immigrants in your community.

*A Name of My Own, a children's book in process Based on a true story of an immigrant girl in fourth grade, this book has activities that do more than reinforce literacy; itteaches empathy, cultural awareness, and self-confidence. They also give kids a chance to see themselves in Hilda’s story, even if their background is different.

* In process, a digital booklet: "Raids, Detention, and Profits: The Urgency of Immigrant Justice:" community resource to understand the abuse of ICE raids, detention, and how we can respond with justice and compassion”

Questions Discussed in the Interview

Describe your journey to US citizenship. In California, 3.7million children have at least one immigrant parent. What would you advise to other immigrants seeking green cards and then citizenship? What role do immigrants play in the US economy?

Please define terms for us, including ones to be avoided andwhy: Global crisis, immigrant justice, migrant, immigrant, asylum seeker, refugee, DACA, Alien, illegal

It seems to me that a key tactic in current progressiveorganizing is telling personal stories of injustice to galvanize protest. What tactics have you found to be most powerful in your organizing? Tell us about your activist toolkit.

You emphasize spirituality and have worked closely withCatholics and perhaps Liberation Theology? What is the goal of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and Mercy Global Action. Collective healing? You call yourself a spiritual coach for social justice leaders. Explain.

What is transformational coaching? Leading throughcomplexity? Grassroots philanthropy?

ICE and military in our cities is a major threat todemocracy. How would you lead and design a national strategy?

Your hopes for the UN’s Second World Summit for SocialDevelopment in November?