Jay Phillips Center hosts panel on ICE
This past Tuesday, a theology panel reflected on the presence of ICE and immigration through the perspective of Catholicism and Benedictine values. Students and faculty were given the opportunity to discuss these issues with the panelists. Upcoming possibilities for “peaceful and powerful” involvment were also discussed.
On Jan. 6, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security sent federal agents to Minneapolis to carry out what it described as “the largest immigration enforcement operation ever.”
Amid unprecedented, trying times in both the state and the nation, students and faculty gathered on Tuesday, Feb. 3, for a theology panel reflecting on immigration, ICE, and the present moment.
The panel took place in the Quad at SJU and was moderated by Dr. Chris Conway, with panelists Dr. Benjamin Durheim, Dr. Micah Kiel, and Dr. Laura Taylor.
The event was sponsored by the Department of Theology and the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning, with additional support from CSB Campus Ministry and SJU Faith.
The discussion opened with a statement written by CSB Campus Ministry Director, Cindy Gonzalez, which read in part, “The greatest commandment is love. We are
called to love one another… We are not called to question each other’s humanity.”
Videos were then presented showing the public response to current events from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, and the Episcopal Church.
Each clip was followed by a reflection from a panelist.
Dr. Durheim, a visiting assistant professor of theology at CSB+ SJU, shared the Lutheran approach to immigration, which he said is rooted in scripture.
He explained that the Old Testament is shaped by migration and movement, noting that Lutherans welcome migrants because they too were once migrants, referring to the story of Exodus.
“The question of what it takes to love one’s neighbor is a constant hum beneath all political arguing,” Durheim said. “The question is when does that constant hum manifest in action. I think right now we are only seeing a small sliver.”
Freshman CSB student Julia Swartzer noted the impact that the sharing of scripture had on her.
“One of the speakers quoted John 11:35, which talks about how Jesus wept. It helped me to see that all of this hurts people, and to me that comes before discussions about policy.”
Dr. Micah Kiel, associate professor of theology at CSB and SJU, discussed how deportation has long been viewed as immoral from a Catholic perspective. He pointed
to a letter written by Pope Pius XII in 1952, which framed immigration through the lens of the Holy Family, who themselves were refugees and migrants.
The letter states, “We have condemned severely the ideas of the totalitarian and the imperialistic state…deporting inhabitants against their wills, disgracefully tearing
individuals from their families, their homes, and their countries.”
Kiel emphasized solidarity as a response grounded in the inherit dignity of every person.
He cited a 1987 letter by Pope John Paul II, which defined solidarity as follows:
“In the light of faith, solidarity seeks to go beyond itself, to take on the specifically Christian dimension of total gratuity, forgiveness and reconciliation. One’s neighbor is then not only a human being with his or her own rights and fundamental equality with everyone else but becomes the living image of God the Father.”
Dr. Laura Taylor, associate professor of Theology at CSB+ SJU, drew from her Episcopal background to issue a call to action.
Taylor detailed the ways in which ICE has instilled fear within Minnesota communities, naming individuals who have died in ICE custody.
“It is really important to say their names,” Taylor said. “ICE is creating a war-like zone, creating an ‘us against them’ rhetoric —turning neighborhoods into war zones. None of this is keeping us safe.”
She emphasized the need to translate faith into action, stating “love of God should be a lived practice, not just ideals.”
To underscore her point, Taylor quoted American philosopher and theologian, Cornel West: “God is love… Justice is what love looks like in public. Tenderness is what love feels like in private.”
Taylor closed the event by outlining practical ways to respond, including calling your legislators, engaging in nonviolent protests, identifying and meeting the needs
of neighbors and demanding respect for the dignity of every human being.
Current opportunities for involvement include a peaceful protest scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5, from 4-5 p.m. on the SJU I-94 Footbridge, as well as a Community
Care Training workshop in St. Joseph from 3:30-5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8.
Registration for the workshop is required, and the location will be sent out the day of the event.
Additionally, an Allied Students Group is being organized by Corrie Grosse and Jessie Bazan.
Students interested in getting involved can email cgrosse001@csbsju.edu or jlbazan@csbsju.edu to connect with others working to support community safety amid the current political climate.