Comprehensive immigration reform:

justice for immigrants

by Sr. Anna Marie Reha

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recognizes the need for comprehensive immigration reform. In January 2003, the U.S. and Mexican Catholic bishops issued a joint pastoral letter entitled Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope (www.usccb.org/mrs/stranger.shtml). In the pastoral letter the bishops outlined several criteria for the reform of the U.S. immigration system, including the following:

- A broad based legalization program for undocumented immigrants of all nationalities;

- Reform of the family-based immigration system to allow family members to reunite with loved ones in the United States;

- Provide legal pathways for laborers to come in an orderly manner and work in jobs that provide a living wage, appropriate benefits, and labor protections;

- Abandonment of the border "blockade" enforcement strategy; and,

- Restoration of due process protections for immigrants.

On Dec. 16, 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 4437, "The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005." On Dec. 14, 2005, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed strong opposition to HR4437, for the following reasons:

- It would cause "unlawful presence" to be a criminal offense, rather than a civil violation as it currently is.

- It expands penalties for the undocumented to church workers and others who assist them in any way.

- It addresses only enforcement, rather than clear and comprehensive reform of our broken immigration system.

The U.S. Senate is expected to take up immigration reform proposals beginning in early March. In the wake of the House-passed version of immigration "reform," which would criminalize undocumented immigrants and those who assist them, while not addressing the inadequacies of the current legal immigration system, it is critically important to actively engage the Senate at this time. The USCCB is backing the McCain-Kennedy/ Secure America bill (S. 1033) as it includes key elements of reform: policies that help bring people onto a path to legality, wider legal channels so that workers can come to the U.S. with a visa and with labor rights; and the modifications needed so that American families can be reunited with their loved ones in a timely fashion.

For more information visit:

www.justiceforimmigrants.org, sponsored by the USCCB, this Web site provides information on the basics of immigration and the need for immigration reform, educational tools; and www.immigrationforum.com sponsored by the National Immigration Forum, which advocates for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and provides analysis of immigration reform legislation, fact sheets and issue briefings.

What can we do to help advocate for immigrant rights?

1. Visit the mentioned Web sites.

2. Keep up with local news

3. Contact your congress person and tell them you support comprehensive immigration reform.

In your parish:

1. Meet with parish staff and discuss ways to educate and engage parishioners

2. Work with your local Social Concerns Committee to promote the Justice for Immigrants Campaign

3. Host an interactive 20-40 minute presentation on immigrants and immigrant issues sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry.

For further information contact the New Ulm Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 359-2966; email: areha@dnu.org.