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Below you find the statement from the Conference of Major Superiors of Men regarding Immigration issues in the USA today. The closing statement encourages us to address these issues in a way that reflects our Oblate charism. I encourage you as Oblates, who represent the poor and marginalized, to send this out to all State, Local, and United States House and Senate Representatives in your respective states.
We currently serve the population of the following states:
- New York (Buffalo and NYC)
- Massachusetts (Lowell, Georgetown, North Andover, and Tewksbury)
- Illinois (Belleville, Godfrey, Fairmont City, Caseyville)
- Minnesota (Buffalo, St. Paul/Minneapolis, White Earth, Waubun, Ogema, Ponsford, Big Elbow Lake, Naytahwaush)
- Louisiana (New Orleans)
- Texas (Eagle Pass, Roma, Mission, Brownsville, Sarita, Riviera, Ricardo, Houston, San Antonio, College Station)
- California (Chula Vista, Oakland)
- Washington DC
- Alaska (Juneau)
The statement from CMSM is fully supported by the administration of the US Province. I recognize that there are more issues the poor are facing such as healthcare, education and food support. The statement below is a good start, and it directly affects many of our parishioners and their families as well as other communities in which we minister. Our voices as Oblates make a difference and unite us to those who suffer the injustices of our world today. Through our actions and presence we can accompany those who are most in need. I encourage you to post this in your respective place of ministry if you are so inclined.
“Leave nothing undared”
Peace,
Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI, Provincial
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – US Province
Want to know which stories received the most attention on OMI JPIC’s website and Facebook page in 2020? Click the link for the list and happy reading!
http://omiusajpic.org/2020-most-viewed-stories/(opens in a new tab)
A bipartisan bill entitled the Dream Act of 2019 (S. 874) was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2019. If passed, the Dream Act of 2019 would provide some Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other Dreamers a path to earn lawful permanent residence and a pathway to citizenship in the only country they have ever known since childhood.
Additionally, on March 12, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6) was introduced in the House of Representatives and has more than 200 co-sponsors. The American Dream and Promise Act would provide qualified DACA recipients protection from deportation and an earned pathway to citizenship. American Dream and Promise Act would also provide lawful permanent resident status for eligible individuals from countries designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
Many religious leaders and organizations have endorsed the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. They are urging concerned citizens to pray and advocate on the issue and are calling on elected leaders to muster up the moral courage to pass the bills. His Holiness Pope Francis continues to call for a change of attitude towards migrants and refugees fleeing violence and famine. He also cautions against creating barriers or inciting ‘fear of other’.
For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which provides an opportunity for the Church to highlight the presence and situation of immigrants, refugees, victims, and survivors of human trafficking. The week serves as a time for both prayer and action in support of immigrants and refugees.
Organized by Justice for Immigrants at the U.S. Conference for Catholic Bishops, the theme for this year’s celebration is “Building Communities of Welcome.” It emphasizes our responsibility and opportunity as Catholics to engage and welcome newcomers on their arrival and help to ease their transition into a new life here in the United States. To read more about this observation and to download resources visit Justice for Immigrants’ website or at the link below.
Educational materials and other resources for National Migration Week are available for download at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week/.
(Action alert developed by USCCB Justice for Immigrants)
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are voting on June 21st to pass H.R. 4760 and H.R. 6136. We join Justice for Immigrants (JFI) and other faith groups in recommending that Representatives vote NO on both bills.
Both of these bills address DACA eligible youth, but require drastic cuts to family-based immigration and eradicate protections for unaccompanied children and asylum seekers. Here are some of our concerns:
HR 4760
- H.R. 4760 does not include a pathway to citizenship for the limited number of DACA recipients eligible for protection.
- H.R. 4760 fails to adequately address family separation and will lead to increases in child and family detention.
- H.R. 4760 heightens the asylum “credible fear” standard and will undermine existing and critical protections for unaccompanied children.
HR 6136
- H.R. 6136 fails to adequately address family separation and will lead to increases in child and family detention.
- H.R. 6136 heightens the asylum “credible fear” standard and will undermine existing and critical protections for unaccompanied children.
Visit Justice for Immigrants’ (JFI) website to send this action alert to your U.S. House members.
Here are two new resources and more in depth-backgrounders from JFI on the two bills. Also visit JFI’s DACA/Dreamer Resource page:
H.R. 6136 -One page background of some points of the bill.
H.R. 4760– One page background of some points on the bill.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
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