News Archives » immigration reform
Immigration Reform Bill Introduced in Congress December 17th, 2009
The Missionary Oblates JPIC office applauds Congressman Luis Gutierrez’s leadership in introducing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act (CIR A.S.A.P.) in the House of Representatives, This bill lays a foundation to fix the broken immigration system in 2010. It was introduced on December 15 with 89 original co-sponsors including members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Progressive Caucus.
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity (CIR A.S.A. P) Act of 2009 offers enhanced border protection, allows for immigrant families to reunite, and provides a way for many undocumented immigrants to earn legalization. Read a summary of the CIR A.S.A.P here.
This immigration bill (CIR A.S.A.P) is released just as U.S. Catholics prepare to celebrate National Migration Week 2010 scheduled for January 4 – 10 under the theme, Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice.
Immigration Reform Can Wait No Longer – Archbishop José Gomez of San Antonio December 1st, 2009
In September 2009, Archbishop José Gomez of San Antonio, Texas, representing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led a delegation of Hispanic Bishops to the United States Congress where they met with House and Senate legislators from both sides of the aisle. The delegation discussed a variety of issues such as health care, immigration and education, but also principles of Catholic social teaching that could help inform the current debates.
An important topic raised by the Bishops in the meetings with legislators was the need for immigration reform. Writing in the San Antonio Archdiocesan paper, Today’s Catholic, Rev. Jose H. Gomez says “Immigration reform can wait no longer.” The article is also available in Spanish: Por qué una reforma migratoria no puede esperar mas
Faith-based Organizations and Immigration Advocates Urge Senator Schumer to Ensure Fair Immigration Policy October 12th, 2009
The Missionary Oblates joined with over 30 organizations representing faith based organizations, immigrant, human rights and civil liberties advocates, and community groups in sending a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer urging him to include fair and humane immigration reform standards in the upcoming U.S. Immigration and Border policy legislation.
For the last few months, Senator Schumer has been holding public hearings about the comprehensive Immigration and Border reforms. The encouraging tone from these Senate hearings has been that the time for immigration reform is now. The letter calls on Senator Schumer to ensure that “any proposed changes to immigration enforcement must reflect fundamental fairness, cardinal American values and international human rights norms.”
Read the letter (Download PDF)
The Olympics – Yet Another Victim of America’s Broken Immigration System October 2nd, 2009
Newspapers are reporting today that during the official Q & A session following the Chicago bid for the Olympic Games, I.O.C. member, Syed Shahid Ali, from Pakistan, asked President Obama how smooth it would be for foreigners to enter the United States for the Olympic Games. He added that doing so can sometimes be “a rather harrowing experience.”
While this I.O.C. member’s concerns raise a red flag about the need for a change in our immigration policies, a litany of voices have been warning for years that the U.S. is slowly adopting an anti-immigrant and visitor policy that is harming business, higher education and families.
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Fall 2009 Issue of JPIC Report Available On-Line September 8th, 2009
The Fall 2009 issue of JPIC Report, the newsletter of the US Justice, Peace/Integrity of Creation Office of the Missionary Oblates is available on line. This issue features updates on Sri Lanka, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Oblate work on faith responsible investing and much more.
