Overview

• More than 50 volunteers gathered at the San Diego Catholic Pastoral Center Monday for a blessing and orientation ahead of the FAITH pilot launch.
• Volunteers will station themselves in courtroom hallways at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building to offer spiritual comfort and practical support during asylum hearings.
• Organizers emphasize volunteers will respect court protocols and will not obstruct ICE agents or legal proceedings while accompanying migrants.
• A recent federal ruling paused expedited removals for certain humanitarian parole entrants but broader post-hearing detentions by ICE persist.
• The pilot runs through the end of August and will be evaluated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego and community partners for possible extension.