An Evening With Human Rights Activist & Priest, Father Solalinde
On Friday April 12, Seattle International Foundation partnered with Pangea to host Human Rights Activist and Priest, Father Alejandro Solalinde for a dinner and informal discussion about his views on immigration reform and his work with Central American 
migrants in Ixtepec, Oaxaca. The group of 23 gathered in Pangea member Betsy Hale’s home.
Migrants face extortion, rape, and kidnapping from Mexican gangs who know that they have family members and dollars in the US. Father Solalinde waits nightly for the cargo train coming from Guatemala that passes through Ixtepec. Migrants from Central America jump on this train and ride it through Mexico on their way to the US. He holds a sign as the train slows passing through Ixtepec signaling that there is food and shelter. Those in need of services jump off to go to the shelter for up to three nights where they get a warm meal and medical services. The shelter staff briefs them on the shelter network throughout Mexico and the dangers they may encounter in route. Father Solalinde laid out a newly-formulated proposal for immigration reform. He reminded us that the majority of migrants leave their homes for economic reasons hoping to return after earning some money. He suggested that US employers in need of labor should offer contracts for a certain amount of time and number of migrant workers. Migrants could then go legally to places where there is a call for workers, work for a certain period and then return home. The transparency of this system would alleviate the need to cross Mexico and into the US under the radar, and in the most dangerous circumstances. Using the metaphor of the Titanic and the affluent passengers who kept dancing and partying as the ship sank; Father Solalinde reminded us that the immigration crisis is one that affects us all.
Besides the honor and privilege of talking with this courageous and charismatic man, the event was a great example of partnership between two globally focused organizations with similar interests and commitment to address human rights issues in Central America.