Join Bishop Wester in the Fast for Families

Intermountain Catholic

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The Catholic Church has long advocated for compassionate immigration reform, and we continue to do so. As part of our efforts, I urge my fellow Catholics in Utah to join in solidarity with me and immigration reform leaders in the "Fast for Families" taking place now in Washington, D.C. 

I stopped by to talk to and pray with the fasters on Nov. 14, two days after it began. The fast will continue day and night on the National Mall in D.C. until immigration reform is passed. Personally, I will join the fast from Utah on Friday, Dec. 6 and each of the Fridays in Advent. I hope many of you will do the same. 

A fast may mean skipping a meal or eating one simple, main meal and two smaller meals during the day. In addition, you might consider skipping lunch for a day and using the time to contact your U.S. senator and representative in support of immigration reform.

Fasting is a reminder of our hunger for God. It is an opportunity to engage in three acts of faith — not only fasting but prayer and almsgiving, by using the time to engage in prayer and the money saved on your meals to support a charity. Those fasting as part of the Fast for Families might consider sharing the savings with Catholic Community Services or another charity that serves refugees, immigrants, or others who have been displaced from their homes.

While Congress tosses immigration reform around, promising to act soon, then later, and now later still, the harmful effects of our current immigration system continue unabated. As politicians and pundits debate, real people continue to suffer, like Tony, who was brought to the U.S. at the age of 4 and was deported 35 years later, leaving behind two young children.

Tony, and millions like him, are the victims of our outdated immigration process. For decades, the U.S. immigration system has provided extremely limited legal avenues for low-skilled workers seeking to escape inhumane levels of poverty in their home countries. For a large majority of our current undocumented work force, there is no "line" they can join to legalize their status. Lawful immigration into the United States is only available to those who have certain family relationships, qualify as asylum-seekers, or have advanced degrees or uniquely high levels of talent in the arts or sports. For low-skilled workers, 5,000 green cards are available annually, and roughly 300,000 potential applicants. Seasonal workers may be able to obtain temporary visas, but these do not provide any path to permanent status.

This situation is taking a very real toll on our neighbors, and our moral standing. As a nation, we have created a shadow society of individuals and families who perform labor, often backbreaking, for our benefit, yet they have no legal protections. We must end this suffering. We are a great nation, built and sculpted by immigrants. At the same time we are diminished by an immigration system that leads to their degradation. It is a stain on the soul of our nation.

An estimated 11.1 million undocumented individuals live in our country today. Most have been here for 10 or more years. These are fellow human beings who often live in our poorest neighborhoods, spend their hard-earned money in our economy, and contribute tax dollars to our local, state and national government coffers. They also enliven our communities with their food and culture and perform vital services for our agricultural, hospitality and other industries. Yet, as a nation, we still refuse to recognize their existence and provide them with a path out of the shadows and into legal status. Instead, we threaten them with the very real possibility of being torn from their families and deported to countries they may not have seen since they were children.

From a moral perspective, we cannot accept the taxes and toil of undocumented immigrants at the same time that we keep them in the shadows, without rights or the protection of the law. We cannot have it both ways.

Pope Francis, upon visiting the island of Lampedusa, Italy, where many African migrants arrive in Europe, spoke of a global "throwaway culture" that devalues the lives of those less fortunate and takes for granted their contributions, particularly in a globalized world. This "throwaway culture" exists in America as well, as we continue to enjoy the benefits of the hard work of undocumented immigrants but readily cast them away, and, when convenient, scapegoat them for our problems.

It has been well over a quarter of a century since our nation has revamped our immigration laws in a comprehensive way. Major changes are needed now. Both Republican and Democratic members of Congress admit as much. Yet our elected officials continue to dawdle while the lives of millions hang in the balance.

The Fast for Families and other efforts that highlight the need for immigration reform continue nationwide in an attempt to focus Congress’ attention on this travesty. Only they, in their capacity as the nation’s lawmakers, can correct this quandary. I ask that you join me in our efforts to urge our elected officials to exert themselves and enact a reasonable, humane solution to immigration reform.