Immigration

The Missionary Oblates JPIC Office advocates for the dignity and rights of all immigrants. We recognize the call to stand in solidarity with all migrants and immigrants, and especially immigrants on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. U.S. Oblates have a long history of serving immigrant communities throughout the United States and have appreciated the rich contributions they have made to faith communities and to the country.

Through education and advocacy with our colleagues in Washington at the state level and in local communities, we work to insure that U.S. migration policy is created out of a sense of compassion, respect for human rights, and an acknowledgement of the vital role migrants play in our economy and 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, as well as for more just immigration policies.

U.S. Oblates actively oppose construction of the U.S./Mexico border wall on social, economic and environmental grounds.

See:

• Faithful Perspectives: A Conversation on Immigration and Your Congregation. (Audio Download starts at minute 1:10)
• 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.

Links:

• Latin America Working Group
• Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
• Latin America Press
• Justice for Immigrants
• Interfaith Worker Justice
• Catholic Immigration Network, Inc.

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