Immigration

The Missionary Oblates JPIC initiative advocates for the dignity and right of all immigrants. We stand in solidarity with those men, women and children who are forced to move from their own countries due to conflict, poverty, discrimination, human rights violations and lack of opportunity. Oblates in the United States have a long history of serving immigrant communities and appreciate the rich contributions immigrants make as members of church communities, as well as more broadly, to society.

The Problem

The current broken immigration system needs reform. More than 12 million undocumented immigrants still live on the wrong side of the law in this country. Hundreds of immigrants have died in recent years along the U.S./Mexico desert border while trying to enter the US. Today, immigrants are being subjected to workplace raids and deportations. As people of faith, we cannot stand by while families are being separated, and immigrant workers are treated unjustly.

What We Are Doing

Through our education and advocacy, we work to ensure that U.S. immigration policy is enacted out of compassion, respect for human rights and awareness of the vital role of immigrants in society. As a founding member organization of the Border Working Group, the Oblate JPIC Office has worked since 2002 for respect of the human rights and dignity of those who live and cross at the U.S./Mexico Border. We work with other faith based and human rights coalitions to support actions for just immigration policies. Missionary Oblates are concerned about the construction of the U.S./Mexico border wall on social, economic and environmental grounds.

What You Can Do

We need to tell Congress to take action now by passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation. People of faith and local communities must stand in solidarity with immigrants by supporting actions for immigration reform. Join us, as we stand to meet the challenges of anti-immigrant proposals and obstacles to comprehensive immigration reform.

Links:

• Border Working Group: LAWG Campaign to Promote Justice for Mexico and the Borderlands
• Justice for Immigrants
• Interfaith Immigration Coalition
• Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Learn More:

• Faithful Perspectives: A Conversation on Immigration and Your Congregation.
• Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, Vice-president of the USCCB testified before Congress (House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law) on the ethical imperative for reform of the U.S. immigration system. Read his testimony.
• “5 Ways to Engage your Congregation” [Parish Resources on Immigration Reform]
• Catholic Principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform” – Senate testimony of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington on behalf of the USCCB; October 8, 2009.
• Border Working Group urges the 111th Congress to address human rights and violence at the U.S/Mexico border
• Cardinal George Calls for End to Immigration Raids
• Legislation to Protect Immigrant Detainees Introduced in the House of Representatives
• Vatican dossier on “The Question of Immigration in the United States of America.” (PDF)
• Oblate featured on PBS TV about Immigration and Border Wall (Video)
  
• Oblate JPIC Statement of Opposition to the Proposed Extension of the US/Mexico Border Wall, (PDF)
• Immigration Resources for Priests – MD Catholic Bishops (PDF)
• Root Causes of Immigration – MD Catholic Bishops (PDF)
• Response to Undocumented Immigration: The Arguments (PDF)
• From Many, One Family of God (PDF)
• Where All Find A Home – MD Catholic Bishops, (PDF)
• Kevin Collins, OMI Testimony on Immigration Policy, March 2007 (PDF)
  
• Forgotten Border (LAWG publication)

Many of these materials are also available in Spanish. See our immigration page in the Spanish portion of this site.

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