A collaborative effort of Jesuits in California and Mexico; and the Jesuit Refugee Service, the initiative seeks to being together pastoral leaders on both sides of the border to create relationships, facilitate communication, and promote the common good of communities on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. Additionally, The Kino Border Initiative responds to the immediate needs of the deportees by providing a shelter for unaccompanied women and children, and a meal center for recently deported migrants in Nogales, Mexico.

The foundation works in the area of social intervention with immigrants.

The foundation works with both immigrants and citizens. It offers special support for immigrants in difficulty, works to improve their reception by society, and explore the causes and problems of immigration.

The foundation works in the areas of reflection and intervention with special emphasis on the issues of migration.

The organization networks with Central and North American countries to care for the special needs of migrants.

The organization accompanies refugees and forced migrants in personal needs, legal processes and empowerment, so that they are constituted in social subjects, recognized as people and incorporated into society, both individually and collectively.