I am heartened that shortly President Barack Obama will be meeting with Congressional leaders to map out a strategy for advancing comprehensive immigration reform legislation in Congress.  Repair of our flawed immigration system is long overdue.   I urge President Obama and leaders in Congress to show leadership on this vital national issue.

It is my hope that the meeting at the White House will lead to a process for drafting immigration reform legislation and to its consideration by Congress by the end of this year.   Immigration reform must be enacted sooner rather than later.   Human beings attempting to work and support their families continue to be subject to exploitation by smugglers and unscrupulous employers,  and people continue to tragically perish in the desert.  This suffering must come to an end.

I commend President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for their efforts to focus attention on this issue and to move it forward in the legislative process.  I commit myself and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to assist their efforts where possible and to stand with them throughout the difficult process of enacting just and humane immigration reform legislation.  (June 4, 2009)