The Immigrant Crosses

Remember Their Names. Honor Their Lives. Defend Their Dignity.

About

The Immigrant Crosses is a traveling memorial: more than 100 hand-painted wooden crosses, each bearing the name, country of origin, and age of a person who has died in immigration custody or during an enforcement action since 2020. On the back of every cross are the words No Olvidados — Not Forgotten.

The memorial launches Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, and begins its parish journey that weekend on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. From there, the crosses travel to a new community every weekend through the fall — parish to parish, campus to campus.

The project is led by Priests for Justice for Immigrants (PJI), in partnership with Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants (SBI). Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, it is a work of prayer and remembrance, non-partisan, and never about politics before people.

Since 2020, more than 100 people have died in immigration custody or during enforcement actions in the United States. Each cross names one of them. We speak their names because remembering is itself an act of mercy.

Names are drawn from the publicly documented record of the IceFall Tracker.

Launching

Date

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Location

Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago

Begins parish journey

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Through

A new community every weekend, this fall

Hosting at
your parish

Hosting is simple, and PJI/SBI provides everything you need — the crosses, a bilingual bulletin insert, the Prayer for Migrants, a sample petition, and a short guide. For one weekend, your parish welcomes the crosses at its main entrance or garden. A host parish is invited to:

† Display the crosses at the main entrance, from the Saturday vigil through Sunday Masses.

† Include the Prayer for Migrants and a petition — for those who have died, and for compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform.

† Add the bilingual bulletin insert introducing the memorial.

† Invite families to respond to the U.S. bishops' (USCCB) calls to action and to take part in civic life.

† Optionally, host a simple gathering — such as a litany naming those who have died.

Hosting at
your school

Hosting is simple, and PJI/SBI provides everything you need — the crosses, a bilingual bulletin insert, the Prayer for Migrants, a sample petition, and a short guide. Your school welcomes the crosses at its main entrance, gym, or other appropriate school community site. Crosses will be delivered on Monday and picked up on Friday. A host school is invited to:

† Display the crosses in a prominent location for one or several school days.

† Include the Prayer for Migrants and a petition during weekly services or events — for those who have died, and for compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform.

† Add the bilingual handout insert introducing the memorial.

† Invite families to respond to the U.S. bishops' (USCCB) calls to action and to take part in civic life.

† Optionally, host a simple gathering — such as a litany naming those who have died.

Bring it to your community.

Parishes, schools, and dioceses in other cities and states are invited to host the memorial or to create their own. Full hosting details and a request form are coming soon — for now, reach out directly and we'll get you what you need.

Request to host