What's Happening

March 4, 2026, Miami, Florida – Two Adrian Dominican Sisters – themselves immigrants from Latin America and naturalized U.S. citizens – were among a group of Catholics and other people of goodwill participating in late January 2026 in a Mass, procession, and prayer service in Miami in solidarity with their immigrant sisters and brothers. Participants attended Mass at Gesú Church and processed to the Immigration Court to attend the prayer service. The service included testimony from people affected by the recent efforts to deport immigrants.

The event was sponsored by Barry University, founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters; Gesú Church; the Instituto Jesuita Pedro Arrupe, and Catholic Legal Services of the Archdiocese of Miami.

“I think that because I’m a Latina who came to this country [from the Dominican Republic] 18 years ago, what happens with immigration is close to my heart,” said Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP. “I’ve had to be intentional about being a presence where I can.” 

Sister Marilín Llanes, OP, came to the United States from Cuba with her parents at the age of 6. “I came at a time in the early ’70s when this country welcomed immigrants, especially from Cuba,” she said. “I am very sad and appalled at the lack of respect and welcome to immigrants today.” 

Sister Marilín noted that in the past year in Miami – a city where more than 60% to 70% of the population is Latino – the amount of public outrage against the treatment of immigrants has been sparse. But the January event drew a crowd of about 200 citizens and residents united in their concern for the immigrants. 

Sisters Xiomara and Marilín were not sure what to expect during the event. “We were prepared for the best and for the worst,” Sister Xiomara said. “We had Plan A, B, and C. We sat in a strategic place where we could see the exit.” They also stayed together throughout the event for their safety and brought their passports to verify their U.S. citizenship. Sister Xiomara said she was nervous in attending the event, which took place shortly after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. But, she added, “we didn’t want fear to stop us from being a presence.”

They were pleased by the sense of unity among the participants. “There wasn’t any altercation, any agitation,” Sister Marilín said. “It was very peaceful.” The police escorted them during the procession and protected them as they headed back to their car, she added. “We felt like we had bodyguards.”

Sister Xiomara said the presence and the attitude of the police transformed the event for her. “I was telling the police, thank you, and they were so appreciative,” she recalled. “They said, ‘We’re honored to serve you.’ That changed the tune. The way we reverenced them – everybody was so respectful and so grateful to the police.”

Sisters Marilín and Xiomara said they are always watching out for opportunities to stand with the immigrants and to be a presence to them and hope to attend a monthly ecumenical prayer service in nearby Broward County. “It’s being a presence but also reaching out to our legislators, voicing ourselves through that venue.”

At the same time, they also strive to reach out to people who have opposing political views. Sister Marilín recalled a recent incident in which a member of a conservative youth group asked her how the Adrian Dominican Sisters stand on immigration. “I realized I had to put aside my difference with her, and we kept the conversation to the point that she felt that her parish wasn’t praying for the immigrants,” she said. “She might agree with some of the policies that I don’t agree with, but we find a place to keep the conversation [going].”

Noting that Florida is a Republican state, Sister Xiomara said, “Some of my good friends, loving people, they voted for [President Donald] Trump, and I have been tempted not to engage with them. But we honor each other, and because we love each other, we can engage in conversation.” 

Sister Marilín added: “If Dominic were around, he would really support the dialogue.” 

 

Feature Photo at Top: Members of the Barry University community participate in the Mass, procession, and prayer service for immigrants in January. Among them, standing in the center front, are Sister Marilín Llanes, OP, left, wearing a black T-shirt; Father Jorge Presmanes, OP, in the white habit; and Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP.

 

February 23, 2026, Detroit – “I think the most important thing we can do to keep peace is to be a witness.… We can’t let up. We have to be vigilant. We have to reach out in love, compassion, and mercy.” 

Those are the words of Sister Mary Jane Lubinski, OP, who – with Sister Janet Stankowski, OP, and Adrian Dominican Associate Patricia “Patty” Gillis – recently attended a mid-January 2026 vigil outside the regional field office of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in downtown Detroit. They – and many other Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates – have been activists and advocates in various ways for immigrants and other people facing injustice. 

During a recent interview, they reflected on their experiences as witnesses and advocates for peace and the common good. As often as possible, they attend weekly protests in Detroit and have been involved through their ministries and in other ways.

Sister Janet is inspired by the people of Minneapolis, who have supported and tried to protect their immigrant neighbors and protest the presence and actions of ICE agents in their city. “I don’t know anything that shines as bright as that example for motivating me to come out [in protests] when something happens…. It should motivate us to say we don’t want our money [used to send] people into our neighborhoods to capture, instill fear, or break up families.” She added that Livonia, Michigan – the location of Madonna University, where she ministers – has been negotiating with the local police about how they will respond to ICE agents. 

Patty said she has attended nearly every protest in the area since the re-election of President Donald Trump. Among the many issues represented at these protests, Patty reflected on the way representatives of the federal government treat immigrants in the attempt to deport them. 

“What really bothers me is how all immigrants are described as criminals,” Patty said. “That’s othering them…. That’s the kind of language authoritarians use when they want to take over the country.” But, she added, people who know particular immigrants know that they are not criminals. “They know the man who washes the dishes or the person who’s working in the restaurant,” she said. “They’re not criminals.” 

Patty recalled an earlier protest, a procession from Holy Trinity Church to ICE headquarters in Detroit in July 2025. The procession was organized by Strangers No Longer (SNL), a network of predominantly Catholic parishes, schools, immigrant organizations, and other organizations in Michigan that work together to promote humane immigration policies. Members of SNL later had the opportunity to meet with representatives of ICE. 

Patty was especially pleased with the involvement of the new Archbishop of Detroit, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, who spoke in support of the immigrant community. Archbishop Weisenburger later wrote an article on the current treatment of immigrants by the U.S. government; Jesus’ teaching that “whatever you do to the least among us, you do to me”; and the need for reasonable immigration reform. 

Sister Janet said that the Detroit area is fortunate that, six months after the arrival of Archbishop Weisenburger, he participated in a procession for immigrants. “It’s so different when you have that leadership – support that’s more than verbal,” she said.

Sister Mary Jane has direct contact with immigrants through her ministry at St. Frances Cabrini Clinic in Detroit, founded 75 years ago to serve uninsured adults, including immigrants. St. Frances Cabrini (1850-1917) was a Catholic Sister who came to the United States from Italy and ministered to immigrants, who were often treated unjustly. 

The clinic is “still going strong,” Sister Mary Jane said. “It’s a refuge. It’s a place of welcome.” Through her ministry at the clinic, she has met people from throughout the world. “We serve everyone,” she said. “The questions we ask are around insurance or income … not origin and not racial issues.”

Sister Mary Jane added that the clinic is being proactive in designing policies and procedures in the event that ICE agents come. “The goal is to protect people, ensure confidentiality, and comply with laws,” she said. 

Along with her ministry at the clinic, Sister Mary Jane values the opportunity to be a witness of her Christian values through rallies and processions. “The physical action for me makes a difference,” she said. “Certainly, I pray and sing, but when I put my body there, it’s a whole different reality – to be with people, to hear their story or stand in silence and pray.”

Patty added: “It’s a privilege to be out there. It gives people who really care hope that people are out there doing good things. To watch all this violence and negativity is disheartening.”

Sister Janet agreed. “We’ve got to keep the positive going. What we can do with our bodies, let’s do it.”
 

Caption for above feature photo: From left, Sister Janet Stankowski, OP, Associate Patricia Gillis, and Sister Mary Jane Lubinski, OP, attend a January 14, 2026, vigil in front of the field office of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regional field office in Detroit.