Many thanks to the thousands of you who signed postcards to our legislators in Washington, D.C., calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The Catholic bishops of the United States have been calling for immigration reform for quite some time now. In June of 2007 we almost made it but things unraveled as the bill lost bipartisan support. Many believe that we have another opportunity to accomplish this elusive goal and, to that end, many of us in the diocese signed postcards to our senators and representatives in Washington, asking them to recommit to this important issue now.
What we bishops are calling for is family unification, restoration of judicial authority to immigration judges (to help keep families together during court proceedings), an earned path to citizenship, more temporary work visas and the elimination of the causes that force people to emigrate in the first place. The Church understands that all sovereign nations have the right to regulate their borders and to enforce border policy. At the same time, the Church teaches that nations also have the responsibility to assist those in need who come to their shores, especially if that nation has been blessed with many gifts. Immigrants are not looking for a handout, only a helping hand. As a matter of fact, statistics show that immigrants give more to our country in sweat equity and taxes than they receive from it. Hopefully, our prayers will be answered and our effort rewarded with comprehensive immigration reform this year.Please take a moment to read up on the issue by going to www.usccb.org. Once there, click on the immigration tab and then go to Justice for Immigrants Campaign. You will see all kinds of materials that give a clear explanation of Church teaching on the matter. And again, thanks to all who worked so hard on our postcard campaign. I especially thank Dee Rowland, who put in all kinds of hours in getting the postcards out and then collecting them, cutting them and distributing them to our legislators.
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