Community Corner
LA Catholic Church Launches Immigrant Aid Program With $50K Gift From Rick Caruso
"These are good, hardworking men and women," Archbishop Gomez said. "Now they're afraid to be seen in public."
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Wednesday launched a new program to help immigrants facing hardship due to recent immigration enforcement actions in the region.
At a news conference held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in South L.A., Archbishop José H. Gomez introduced the Family Assistance Program, which received an initial $50,000 donation from developer Rick Caruso.
The program aims to help Archdiocese parishes provide meals, groceries and medicine to families impacted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. The Cardinal McIntyre Fund will oversee distribution of the aid.
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"Many of our friends and family, our neighbors and fellow parishioners are afraid and anxious," Gomez said. "These are good hardworking men and women. People of faith; people who have been in this country for a long time and are making important contributions to our economy."
"Now, they are afraid to go to work or be seen in public in fear that they will be arrested," he added.
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Gomez said the Archdiocese is working with Los Angeles city officials to help migrants, and he urged federal lawmakers to reform the nation's immigration system.
Caruso, a former mayoral candidate who ran against Karen Bass in 2022, said he and his wife felt compelled to help during such a difficult time for migrant families.
"We're going to open up with a $50,000 gift to this fund to help those who are in need, and there will be a matching gift for another $50,000 once we get that number," Caruso said.
He cited his family's immigrant background as motivation.
"What we have today are thousands of people who are waking up everyday with fear," Caruso said. "They're worried about sending their children to school. They may have lost somebody who was taken because of these raids, and can no longer pay for rent or pay for food."
He said the goal of the program is to prevent vulnerable families from becoming homeless.
Donations can be made to lacatholics.org/immigrant-support.
City News Service
