Immigration

Reflection:  "Don't mistreat any foreigners who live in your land.  Instead, treat them as well as you  treat citizens and love them as  much as you love yourself.  Remember, you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.  I am the Lord your God." (Lev. 19: 33-34)  

The ultimate resolution of the problems associated with forced migration and illegal immigration lies in changing the conditions that drive persons from their countries of origin.  Accordingly, we urge the governments of the world, particularly our own government, to promote a just peace in those countries that are at war, to protect human rights in those countries that deny them, and to foster the economic  development of those countries that are unable to provide for their own peoples.   We also urge the governments of the "receiving" countries to welcome these immigrants, to provide for their immediate needs, and to enable them to come to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.                                      

                                                          U.S. Bishops' Statement: Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, 2000

*********************************************

                 "I was a stranger and you welcomed me," (Matthew 25:35). 

 
 

                                  Immigration Legislation                                

  During these next months Congress will  be  taking  up several pieces of immigration legislation.   

 Anti-immigrant organizations are already voicing strong opposition to any legislation that would improve conditions for immigrants and their families.  

The two acts  below  both have bipartisan support, and strong support from faith communities.    

We urge you to write/call your Congressional delegation to lend support. 

 

Detainee Basic Medical Care Act of 2008 (H.R. 5950/S.3005).  This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D—CA, 16th) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D—NJ), addresses the deplorable lack of medical care for persons in the nation’s detention centers.  Recent media reports have shown the results of inadequate medical care and treatment provided to people in the federal immigration detention system.   

Emergency Agriculture Relief Act.  Senators Dianne Feinstein (D—CA) and Larry Craig (R—ID) sponsor this means of addressing the lack of farm workers to ensure the nation’s food supply.  Farm workers have fled the U.S. because of fear of arrest and/or the treatment they have received from employers.  This legislation provides temporary limited resident status for farmworkers, their spouses and minor children.  Senator Feinstein has worked on this legislation for several years; much of it was contained in the AgJOBS bill.  This is a compromise bill which expires in five years.

 

 Ask your Congressional delegation to Oppose:

 The SAVE ACT.  Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC. 11th) introduced the SAVE Act in late 2007.  By late April of 2008, the bill had 151 co-sponsors from both parties.    Ask your Representative and Senators to oppose  H.R. 4088/S. 2368, the Secure America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2007.  Enforcement-only legislation will not repair our broken immigration system.  Only comprehensive immigration reform would both repair the system and secure our national borders.

 

 Immigration is going to be a major issue in the political campaigns.   

 

Please take a few minutes and contact you Representative and Senators.

Congress needs to hear from voices advocating humane treatment for immigrants and reform for our broken system. 

 

                                  Connecticut Congresspersons

Senator Dodd: 202-224-2823,  fax:202-224-1083 http://dodd.senate.gov

Senator Lieberman: 202-224-4041, fax 202-224-9750  http://lieberman.senate.gov

Rep. Larson: 202-225-2265, fax 202-225-1031  www.house.gov/larson

Rep. Courtney: 202-225-2076, fax 202-225-4977,    www.house.gov/courtney  

Rep. DeLauro: 202-225-3661, fax 202-225-4890, www.house.gov/delauro

Rep Shays: 202-225-5541, fax 202-225-9629, www.house.gov/shays

Rep. Murphy: 202-225-4476, fax 202-225-4488,   www.chrismurphy.house.gov  

 

 

www.senate.gov      www.house.gov 

 

The  U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' five principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform:

  • To make family a priority in immigration law

  • To insist the worker programs contain protection for U.S. and migrant workers

  • To allow for an earned legalization program for the undocumented in the country

  • To restore due process protection

  • To respond to the economic, political, and social root causes of migration

For more information: 

 Justice for Immigrants: http://capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alerts

 Coalition for comprehensive Immigration Reform:  www.cirnow.org  

Network, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Washington .www.networklobby.org

National Immigration Forum – Facts on Immigration – Polling Summary

http://www.immigrationforum.org/documents/PressRoom/PublicOpinion/2007/PollingSummary0407.pdf

Stop the Hate:  http://www.wecanstopthehate.org/

                                                                                   

                       www.senate.gov                               www.house.gov

 

Collaborative Center for Justice

Celebrating  Over Nine Years of Social Justice Advocacy

“Not just advocating for change, but activating change”

Be a persistent prophetic voice for Justice .