This summer, Jesuit students served at a Jesuit mission in Brownsville, TX, on a service trip to the southern U.S. border. Blue Jays encountered the harsh realities and resilience of migrants seeking a better life.

“One of the intentions for a project such as this trip,” said Scott Delatte ’06, Jesuit’s director of service projects, “is to help students focus on the fundamental human dignity of every person regardless of their circumstances or background.” Students had the opportunity to help meet migrants’ basic human needs and also the chance to learn about the lived complexities of migrants’ personal stories.

Among those who served was senior Will Allen, who found the experience deeply moving.

“My experience at the southern border was unforgettable,” Allen began. He spoke with various migrants staying in shelters, hearing their stories firsthand. One story in particular left a lasting impression on him—a family from Peru who had been forced to flee their home due to threats from the local cartel.

“They owned a small store where they sold products from their farm,” Allen explained. “But every month, the cartel would demand ‘rent’ money for protection. When the family couldn’t pay, the cartel threatened to take everything they owned and harm their children. Every day, the mother would come home to find pictures of her children on the doorstep, a constant reminder of the danger they were in.”

This family’s journey to America in search of asylum was just one of many stories that Allen heard during his time at the border. He also learned about the difficult and dangerous journey that migrants face. “Families who cross the border,” he noted, “have to pay a ‘coyote’ to get across successfully.”

In addition to hearing these stories, Allen had the chance to observe the legal processes involved in immigration.

Reflecting on the trip, Allen expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “This trip was eye-opening and, at times, heartbreaking. I’m thankful Jesuit gave us the chance to serve in this way, and I’ll always remember the memories made with my Jesuit brothers.”

Jesuit’s forms of Blue Jays into lifelong men for others, and that formation includes a series of opportunities to directly serve those in need. These opportunities extend outward from Mid-City to multiple continents around the globe. Collectively, Jesuit students perform over 30,000 hours of service every year.

Click here to read about other local, regional, and global service undertaken by Blue Jay students and alumni.