WEST VIRGINIA – In the United States, we are witnessing an influx of children and teenagers who are fleeing their home countries and hoping to realize their “right to freedom of movement, to internal and external migration” that Pope John Paul II identified as one of many rights shared by all human beings during his address at the 34th General Assembly of the United Nations in 1979. Why are they coming here?  Brittany Young, Immigration & Refugee case manager for Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa), observes:  “Most of the children fleeing to the United States without a parent or guardian are coming from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Many are fleeing violence in their home countries perpetuated by gangs who are partnering with transnational criminal organizations. Honduras, for example, has the world’s highest murder rate, and children are often the target for recruitment where the choice is often join or die. Some are leaving their home countries due to poverty and lack of economic opportunity or to reunite with their families.” CCWVa is prepared to welcome these children by offering post release services (i.e. home visits, etc.) to any unaccompanied minors who should be released to a sponsor who lives in West Virginia. CCWVa has also agreed to “deploy” Brittany Young as a Spanish speaking immigration attorney for 2 week increments should Catholic Charities USA be called upon by the government to staff temporary shelters. “Catholic Charities West Virginia continues to communicate with Catholic Charities USA and USCCB about the current status of the crisis and will be prepared to assist with immigration legal services for the children who qualify for asylum and/or foster care in West Virginia,” said CCWVa Migration and Refugee Services Director Kim Keene.  In addition to keeping your hearts open to these young people, CCWVa encourages you to contact your state legislators and ask them to grant asylum to the youth who are entering our country.  Ask them to provide funding for appropriate shelter, for post-release services and legal representation, alternatives to detention and for additional immigration judges and courts. As Catholics, we are part of a faith community without borders with a long tradition of welcoming the stranger.  Let us act now, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in crisis. As Fr. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, reminds us, “Migrating unaccompanied children and migrating families should not solely be viewed as a statistic; they are human beings…. they are children of God and must be treated with dignity and respect, care and compassion.”  Catholic Charities USA has mobilized to procure facilities; identify professionals (such as immigration lawyers, physicians, case workers and licensed mental health counselors); and provide technical, financial and in-kind assistance to local Catholic Charities agencies. To donate to Catholic Charities West Virginia’s Migration and Refugee program, visit www.ccwva.org or mail your check to CCWVa Migration and Refugee, 2000 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003. To donate to Catholic Charities USA, call 1-800-919-9338 or mail your check to CCUSA, PO Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066. Your contribution will provide basic services and support to immigrating families and their children who desperately need help.