“When a foreigner resides among you, do not mistreat them” and “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers” were parts of the many biblical verses inscribed on handheld signs as around 100 people gathered in the Loop Friday to perform a centuries-old Mexican tradition while advocating for immigration reform.

       The 16th annual Posada for Immigration Reform, hosted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, began outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, and participants made their way through the Loop making stops at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, DePaul University, Federal Plaza and St. Peter’s Church. A young couple led the group through the sidewalks while a man singing in Spanish and playing guitar stayed around the middle of the pack.

       The man and woman leading the group portrayed Mary and Joseph, the biblical couple who traveled around Bethlehem in search of refuge before Mary was offered a place and ultimately gave birth to Jesus in a stable. They acted out scenes that depicted themes in Mary and Joseph’s journey that translate to current issues with the U.S. immigration system.

       Marcos Martinez and Blanca Rodriguez both participated in the Posada for the first time this year and stepped up to portray Joseph and Mary, respectively. Martinez is the ministry coordinator for Iskali, a local nonprofit working with young adult Latinos to provide community, educational resources, mentorship and more. Rodriguez works in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Respect Life Ministry, which offers counseling and resources surrounding crisis pregnancies, chastity education, puberty and more.

       Joaquin Martinez, of Des Plaines, holds a flag of the Virgen de Guadalupe as he and other immigration rights supporters walk in the 16th annual posada through the streets of downtown in Chicago on Dec. 17, 2021. The one mile journey, which symbolizes Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, started at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Center and ended at St. Peter's Church. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

       Rodriguez said it was “great” to see a large number of people gathering for the tradition, which is meant to be for prayer and reflection but is mostly a celebration of life. Martinez said it was “exciting” to witness the support for the Posada but also the diversity of support, seeing people from different backgrounds come together in support of immigrant families.

       “We want to emphasize the importance of families staying together,” Martinez said. “And for resources to be distributed to people from all communities because we know the importance of having a fair shot in this country and making sure the values that this country was built on are being offered to everybody.”

       Rodriguez said she hopes the Posada continues to bring attention to the tens of thousands of people who are denied entrance into the U.S. every year as well as those who are denied resources, job opportunities and more while “living in fear” of being separated from their families during the immigration process.

       “We have to do everything possible to make sure that kids that are coming to this country in the future are getting the education they need and they’re able to have parents present in their lives,” Rodriguez said. “It’s so important for us to be here today because that’s how things get done around here.”

       Immigration rights supporters walk in the 16th annual posada through the streets of downtown Chicago on Dec. 17, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

       After the Posada, members of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Immigration Ministry Network held a news conference at the Holy Name Cathedral. The Rev. Tony Pizzo is the prior provincial of the Midwest Augustinians and a representative of Priests for Justice for Immigrants, two of the partner organizations of the local Archdiocese.

       Pizzo announced the network’s plans to launch an action campaign for 2022 that will include “prayer, expanded education and advocacy.” Representatives from other organizations in the network, including Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants and Pastoral Migratoria, spoke about the campaign, which will also focus on increasing communication with legislators.

       Pizzo said he has been taking part in the Posada with the Archdiocese of Chicago since the beginning and has been advocating for immigration reform even longer since the mid-’90s.

       He said the local archdiocese and the city of Chicago itself are home to many people who are immigrants and looking for economic security and stability, and he and others in attendance Friday are looking to make that a possibility and a reality for those people.

       “We will continue to walk together and pray together, and we hope to continue to foster more and more support not only amongst ourselves but even our elected officials, those who have a voice in the political realm, to advocate for the needs of our people and the people that we represent,” he said.

       sahmad@chicagotribune.com

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