 Perhaps now more than ever, the Justice for Immigrants campaign is inspiring proponents of comprehensive, family-centered immigration reform. Some obstacles have been overcome and many more lie ahead, but faithful supporters believe the JFI journey is a hopeful one.
Three years ago, the United States Conference of Catholic of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published its pivotal pastoral letter "Strangers No Longer: Together on a Journey of Hope." At a symposium in Los Angeles that same year, the seeds were planted for the Justice for Immigrants (JFI) campaign.
At the gathering, dioceses were tasked to conduct one-on-one interviews with a diverse pool of clergy, laity and labor leaders. The leaders heard allegations of workers' driver's licenses being confiscated; of police harassment; and of intimidation - including threats of deportation - from their employers.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
 By Karen A. Herrlin, CLINIC Advocacy Attorney
Every 10 years the federal government aims to count EVERYONE living in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. The U.S. Census Bureau, the government agency that administers the 2010 Census, will count individuals living in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam. People of all ages, races, and ethnic groups will be counted. The Census count will encompass citizens and non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage participation in the 2010 Census. As a respected and trusted institution, the Catholic Church will help to ensure that hard to reach communities, like immigrants and individuals with limited English, know about and partake in the Census.
|
|
Read more...
|
 WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on January 6, announced steps to push for the enactment of immigration reform legislation in 2010. Bishop John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah, and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, bishop of Albany, New York, and chairman of the International Policy Committee of the USCCB, made the announcement.
It is our view, and that of others, that the American public, including the Catholic and other faith communities, want a humane and comprehensive solution to the problems which beset our immigration system, and they want Congress to address this issue, said Bishop Wester.
Steps announced by Bishop Wester include:
- The launch of a nationwide postcard campaign under the Justice for Immigrants campaign, with 1.5 million postcards already ordered;
- The launch of two Web sites, a new Justice for Immigrants Web site with tools for parishes, and the National Migration Week Web site, which provides other resources; and
- A nationwide action alert asking for Congress to enact immigration reform as soon as possible.
|
|
Read more...
|
 By Bishop John Wester
Representative Joe Wilson's now infamous 'you lie' shout out to President Obama during his health-care speech to Congress was featured in the press as an unprecedented breach of protocol.
Much less has been reported about the subject of the rant: keeping undocumented persons from accessing health care.
With the passage of health-care legislation, a majority of the House of Representatives shouted back. The House bill permits undocumented persons to use their own money to purchase coverage in the new health-care exchange.
This is contrary to the stated positions of not only Representative Wilson, but also the U.S. Senate and the Obama Administration. A closer examination of the merits of the House position should convince them that, in this case, sound public policy should trump divisive politics.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Thursday, 03 December 2009 17:53 |
|
 The following are remarks by Bishop Alexander Salazar at a press conference outside a deportation center in Los Angeles. He offered prayers of comfort for those inside and called for comprehensive immigration reform. Bishop Salazar also discussed the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' postcard campaign planned for next year. (English translation follows.)
Hace casi 500 años, Nuestra Santa Madre de Guadalupe apareció a un humilde indio Juan Diego durante tiempos de conflicto y tensión. Ella le dijo “No Tengas Miedo.” Palabras que llenaron el corazón de San Juan Diego con amor y esperanza. Nuestra Morenita nos unió como hijos de Dios en paz, compasión y solidaridad.
Queremos que sus palabras resuenen en las calles de nuestras comunidades inmigrantes, donde nuestros hermanos y hermanas están sufriendo en silencio, sin una voz, en la oscuridad.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
