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California Catholic Bishops Call for Immigration Reform May 3rd, 2013
Catholic Bishops in California have announced their support for immigration reform legislation, outlining key elements essential in any legislation to protect the rights of undocumented immigrant workers and their families in the U.S. The Most Rev. Gerald Wilkerson, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and president of the California Catholic Conference, released a statement on May 1 in recognition of the historic introduction of bipartisan immigration reform legislation in the US Senate. Rallies in support of immigration reform have been taking place throughout California.
Here is the full text of the Bishops’ statement:
The California Catholic Conference of Bishops, in solidarity with all the bishops of the nation, applauds the introduction of U.S. Senate bipartisan legislation to reform the broken U.S. immigration system. Throughout our dioceses, as pastors called by the Good Shepherd to care for those in need, we are sharing our own immigration stories and teaching the principles found in our Catholic Social Teaching. For many years we have advocated for comprehensive reform of the nation’s immigration laws. Our country has a right and responsibility to protect its borders, and effective immigration laws are part of that enforcement. Right now, however, the current system fails both the nation and those seeking to contribute to American society. We believe that the necessary elements for reform ought to include:- An earned path to full legal status, and eventual citizenship, that is reasonable and attainable;
- Provision for immigrants brought here as minors to swiftly gain legal status to continue their education and enter the workforce;
- The reduction of immigration application backlogs so that families may be united more quickly;
- A temporary worker program that is safe, workable for families, and fair to all workers, immigrants and non-immigrants, alike;
- Restoration of due process protections restored for all immigrants involved with the immigration justice system;
- The protection of refugees and unaccompanied immigrant children; and
- A way of addressing the root causes of immigration.
Faith, Business Leaders Encouraged by Immigration Bill April 25th, 2013
The Rev. Kevin Collins, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, shows support for Gabriela Nieto and her dreams.
Houston’s faith and business leaders held a press conference to signal their support for immigration reform legislation introduced last week in Congress. The Rev. Kevin Collins, OMI pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, joined other members of TMO (The Metropolitan Organization) in calling for support for the bill. TMO is a faith-based community organization in Houston that has been actively pressing for a solution to the broken immigration system.
The legislation, an initiative of a bipartisan group of senators, is the first major overhaul of U.S. immigration policy since 1986.
Immigration Reform Legislation Introduced April 18th, 2013
Senators introduced, late on Tuesday, an 844-page immigration reform bill in Congress called the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act.” The bill aims to make the most substantive changes to immigration laws in nearly three decades.
The bi-partisan “Gang of Eight” Senators and staff have been working tirelessly to create a bi-partisan solution that attempts to fix the broken immigration system in the United States. Read the bill here…
In the coming weeks the bill will be analyzed, and the JPIC Office will share opportunities to get involved.
Thanks to the Senators involved, who should be commended for having the courage to tackle this difficult issue.
APRIL 10: JOIN THE MARCH FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN WASHINGTON D.C. April 2nd, 2013
On April 10th, faith leaders and communities will join thousands of union members, immigrants and supporters in sending a message to lawmakers: Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2013! The Rally for Citizenship will be held on the West Lawn of the U.S Capitol Building in DC
View Rally for Citizenship here
April 10th is the anniversary of the largest mobilization for immigrant rights in recent history (April 10, 2006) when over 70 cities across the US took action to encourage the Congress to take actions on real Immigration reform.
Supporters for immigration reform will educate, march, rally, pray and knock on the doors of Congress until commonsense immigration reform that includes a realistic path to citizenship.
Support Senator Rubio on Immigration Reform April 2nd, 2013
Anti-immigrant organizations are flooding U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s office with calls, messages and faxes attacking him for his support of immigration reform.
Senator Rubio needs to hear from people throughout the country that they are looking for his leadership in the Senate on this issue and that he must continue to support immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented.
A recent Washington Post article reported that one group and “its members have inundated the office of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) with 100,000 faxes.”
Call Senator Rubio’s office at 202-224-3041 or send him an email here to thank him for his outstanding work on the Gang of Eight and encourage him to continue with his immigration reform efforts.
