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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
Conservationists Argue Border Wall Blocks Migration November 16th, 2009
A wall being built along the Mexican border to stop illegal immigration is stopping wildlife that needs to migrate across that border, conservationists say. A photo exhibit titled Continental Wall: Borderlands, Wildlife, People and the Wall showing the impact of the wall along the US-Mexico border is on show in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC until November 20.
See a video clip about the show.
Catholic Principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform October 19th, 2009
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington testified on behalf of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in Congress about Comprehensive Immigration Reform on October 8 before the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The hearing sought faith-based perspectives on comprehensive immigration reform.
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.”
