Regional Immigration Consultation

From June 2 - 4, 2010, bishops of the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba and Rome gathered in Washington, D.C., for what has become an annual meeting to discuss immigration matters. This year marked the third such regional meeting, which is an offshoot of a series of meetings held between the Episcopal conferences of Mexico and the United States. It was from these meetings that the 2003 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope" was produced. This past meeting was particularly helpful and gave us participants a chance to exchange information about our work with immigrants from pastoral, legal, social and economic points of view. Included in the meeting were highly dedicated priests, sisters and lay leaders who work daily with immigrants and refugees in their respective dioceses.

We had some excellent presentations from our membership and also had an opportunity to speak with government officials who are responsible for immigration matters in one way or another. In one session, Mr. Daniel Restrepo; Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council and Ms. Felicia Escobar, Senior Advisor for Immigration Policy to the Domestic Policy Council at the White House. Both of these persons are senior White House aides who advise President Obama on immigration matters, particularly immigration that takes place in the western hemisphere. We were also addressed by Mr. Alan Bersin; Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection. All three of these individuals gave fine presentations and displayed a tremendous depth of knowledge about immigration matters. They also demonstrated their broad perspective as they placed immigration in a larger context, pointing out how the United States and its neighbors will benefit from Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Commissioner Bersin has been working in one way or another for the federal government in the immigration field, particularly on the border. He truly understands the situation, is an expert on border enforcement and realizes the great benefits of immigration reform for our country and for immigrants.

Our meeting included several celebrations of the Eucharist and we also visited local refugee resettlement centers. I admire my brother bishops for their sustained dedication to the pastoral service of our immigrants and they join all of us in praying that our country can make strides toward Comprehensive Immigration Reform.