India: North Regional Workshop on Migrant Care Highlights Urgent Call for Policy and Solidarity

The North Region Commission for Migrants, together with the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the Delhi Lawyers Forum (DLF), organized the North Regional Workshop cum Meeting at DCC Hall, New Delhi, on September 15.

The event brought together 90 participants, including the Secretaries of the Migrants Commissions from Jammu, Delhi, and Chandigarh, along with clergy, religious, lay leaders, and migrant representatives, to reflect on the Jubilee 2025 theme: “Migrants – Pilgrims of Hope.”

In his inaugural address, Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto, Regional Chairman, described migrants as “messengers of hope” whose courage and faith challenge the Church to build solidarity and defend human dignity. He highlighted the Archdiocese’s outreach to the internally displaced people of Manipur in Delhi, Burmese Catholics, distressed migrants, and domestic workers, calling their presence “a blessing that keeps our Church alive and vibrant.”

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, recalled how the Commission for Migrants was constituted in 2017 and became fully functional in 2019 under the leadership of Archbishop Victor Henry as its first Chairman and Fr. Jaison Vadassery as Executive Secretary. He emphasized that the Commission is a timely response to the Church’s mission, reminding participants that “to serve migrants is to serve humanity.”

Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, reminded participants that Pope Leo XIV has called migrants “privileged witnesses of hope” and that their resilience, even in the face of suffering, is a living testimony of God’s faithfulness. He urged the Church in India to respond to this call with “concrete acts of welcome, accompaniment, and advocacy, so that migrants may feel they truly belong to the family of God.”

The day featured three panel discussions and rich sharing. Sr. Inigo Joachim SSA, Fr. Bobby Emprayil (Provincial VC), Fr. Prakash Louis SJ, Sr. Elsa Muttathu (Secretary CRI), Mr. Nirmal Gorana of the National Campaign Committee for the Eradication of Bonded Labour (NCCEBL), along with members of the Delhi Lawyers Forum (DLF), offered expert insights on trafficking, bonded labour, migrants’ rights, and pastoral accompaniment. Their interventions provided valuable information, awareness, and concrete pathways for action.

Personal testimonies deeply moved the participants. Mr. Augustin Pausuandal Buansi, representing the Myanmar refugee community, shared their longing for permanent settlement while affirming that “India is mother to all refugees.” Ms. Grace from Manipur recounted the plight of displaced families still living under the shadow of violence, underlining the urgency of long-term solutions.

The workshop closed with a strong call to action. Archbishop Couto, echoing the voices of participants, urged that organizations and the Commission working for migrants together appeal to the Government of India to urgently develop a comprehensive national policy on migration. Such a policy, he stressed, must ensure job security and protect vulnerable citizens from the ever-present dangers of exploitation and human trafficking.

Outcome of the Meeting:

1. A renewed commitment to create awareness, document migrant realities, and strengthen collaboration among dioceses, congregations, and partner organizations to better support migrants and refugees.

2. Agreement to jointly advocate for a comprehensive national migrant policy that ensures protection, job security, and safeguards against trafficking.

The event concluded with participants pledging to walk with migrants and refugees with compassion and solidarity, ensuring that all may truly live as pilgrims of hope.