Dolan to Boehner: Immigration reform matter of great moral urgency

Last updated on: November 8, 2013 at 3:51 pm by Father Pablo Migone

Dolan to Boehner: Immigration reform matter of great moral urgency 2013-11-08T15:51:00-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

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Yesterday Archbishop Dolan of New York wrote a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner stressing the urgency of immigration reform. Archbishop Dolan does not state anything new in presenting the Church’s pastoral concern for the undocumented, yet the timing of this letter is crucial. The House has the ability to debate and pass immigration reform before the end of the year.

Dear Mr. Speaker:

On behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I write to you on an issue of great importance and urgency to the nation-immigration reform. We respectfully request that the House of Representatives address the issue as soon as possible, ideally prior to the end of the calendar year. Reports that immigration reform is now delayed in the House are most troubling.

As pastors, we witness each day the human consequences of a broken immigration system. Families are separated through deportation, migrant workers are exploited in the workplace, and migrants die in the desert. In their attempts to respond to these human tragedies, our priests, religious, and social service providers in many cases are unable to help these persons without changes to the law.

To be sure, Church teaching supports the right of sovereign nations to protect their borders. In our view, immigration reform would protect that right and restore the rule of law while upholding the human rights and dignity of the person.

As a moral matter, however, our nation cannot continue to receive the benefits of the work and contributions of undocumented immigrants without extending to them the protection of the law. Studies have demonstrated that undocumented immigrants contribute substantially to our nation’s economy, working in industries such as service, construction, and agriculture. Keeping these human beings as a permanent underclass of workers who are unable to assert their rights or enjoy the fruits of their labor is a stain on the soul of the nation.

As we have communicated in the past, we urge you to pass in its final form immigration reform legislation that:

1) establishes a fair and achievable path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented in the nation; [my comment: I believe most undocumented immigrants would be happy even if they were not put on a path to citizenship, but if they had a certain status where they could come out into the light].

2) creates a program that permits future flows of migrant workers to enter safely and legally and with appropriate protections; [my comment: Currently low-skilled or unskilled workers have no way of entering the United States legally, yet they are needed]

3) reaffirms family reunification as the cornerstone of our nation’s immigration system and expedites the reunification of families, based on marriage as the union of one man and one woman; [my comment: As priests we see this frequently, the disruption of family life and the suffering of children who are U.S. citizens]

4) restores basic due process protections to immigrants, including protections against unnecessary detention; [my comment: Many local law enforcement agencies do not know immigration law, sometimes immigrants are held for long periods of time even though the law calls for their release].

5) enhances protections for refugees and asylum-seekers; and

6) examines the root causes of migration, such as poverty and persecution, and adopts policies that address these push factors.

The House has a responsibility to debate and attempt to resolve public policy issues that challenge the nation. The Senate already has passed such a bill, which, although not perfect, improves upon the status quo.

Immigration is a challenge that has confounded our nation for years, with little action from our federally elected officials. It is a matter of great moral urgency that cannot wait any longer for action. The U.S. Catholic bishops stand ready to assist you in this effort.

Thank you for your attention to our views and we look forward to hearing from you regarding this important matter.

Sincerely,

Archbishop Timothy Dolan

The Church and Immigration Reform

La Iglesia y la Reforma Migratoria

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