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CURRENT
ISSUE: September 18, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 16Oakland,
CA
Another push for comprehensive reform
WASHINGTON
(CNS) -- It’s time for House and Senate leaders to come through
with legislation dealing with immigration, said the chairman of the U.S.
bishops’ Committee on Migration and a panel of interfaith leaders.
In a Sept. 12 statement, Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino, said
the only way to protect the integrity of U.S. borders and the human dignity
of immigrants is to adopt a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Leaders in the House and Senate have said there’s almost no chance
to pass a comprehensive immigration bill before Congress recesses for
the November election. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., has said
some of the security provisions included in a House-passed enforcement-only
immigration bill might be attached to funding legislation before the end
of the session after the November elections.
Father Michael Leonard of the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Center said
in a telephone press conference by religious leaders Sept. 12 that Hastert’s
proposed approach is troubling.
“It is disturbing because it means political expediency is taking
over for policy,” Father Leonard said. “They’re going
to take a piecemeal approach to placate the conservative wing of the party.”
On the same teleconference, Sister Anne Curtis, a member of the leadership
team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, said she “can’t
emphasize enough how critical it is that religious leaders find whatever
way they can to influence elected officials.”
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Jr., an evangelical who heads the National Hispanic
Christian Leadership Conference, said Hispanic evangelical pastors are
mobilizing in all 50 states to oppose legislation that only emphasizes
the enforcement of immigration laws without taking into account how that
would affect the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country
and their families.
“I can guarantee the Latino church in America will not stand idly
by and allow an enforcement-only bill to pass,” said Rev. Rodriguez.
Bishop Barnes’ statement reiterated the position of the U.S. bishops
that any attempt to solve the nation’s immigration problems should
include a path to legalization and citizenship for the people already
here illegally; a temporary worker program that protects the rights of
laborers; reforms in the family immigration system to reduce backlogs
and shorten wait times; and restoration of due process.
He said enforcement is an important component, but cautioned that “enforcement
measures should not undermine the fairness of our laws and should ensure
that the human dignity of the person is protected.”
On the steps of California’s State Capitol Sept. 12, religious leaders
issued an open letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, asking him to sign
several immigrant-related bills including AB 2060 that provides help to
legal residents wanting to complete their citizenship process.
More than 50 religious organizations signed the statement that also calls
for immigration reform that creates a “fair, equitable and just
system.”
“We recognize the failures of governments across many borders to
adequately address the needs of people trapped in intolerable, cruel and
unjust situations,” the statement said.
“And we contend that the United States has a special responsibility
in this regard – both as the richest, most powerful nation on earth,
and because our nation was largely built on the sweat and blood of immigrants
from many lands.”
The Rev. Mari Castellanos of the United Church of Christ said in the teleconference
that many religious leaders share a concern that families would be torn
apart by a law that seeks only to crack down on illegal immigrants.
Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia of Sacramento (second
from right) joins (from left) the Rev. Carol Been, Maria Reyes, the Rev.
Jose La Torre and other religious leaders in a Sept. 12 march to the state
capitol to ask Gov. Schwarzenegger to support immigrant communities in
California. More than 50 religious organizations signed an open letter
to the governor.
LUIS GRIS PHOTO
