Now that the Government shutdown has been lifted and the debt ceiling crisis has been averted, President Obama has insisted that immigration reform become a priority for this Congress.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called for the following elements to be included in any immigration reform law:
The reform
- Provides a path to citizenship for undocumented persons in the country;
- Preserves family unity as a cornerstone of our national immigration system;
- Provides legal paths for low-skilled immigrant workers to come and work in the United States:
- Restores due process to our immigrant enforcement policies;
- Addresses the root causes of migration, such as persecution and economic disparity
There have been some myths that have been raised regarding undocumented immigration.
Immigrants cost the country billions of dollars in services.
According to the Cato Institute: the average immigrant pays $80,000 in their lifetime in taxes than they collect in government services.
Undocumented immigrants bring crime into the country
In reality, while the undocumented population doubled between 1994 – 2005, violent crime dropped by 34%. Property crime dropped by 32%. This is based on documentation gathered by the American Immigration Council.
There have been over 2 million deportations during the Obama Administration. On November 6 and 7 people in major cities in the United States called for an end to these deportations and the passing of the Immigration Reform Bill.
November 13, 2013—Feast of St. Frances Cabrini
St. Frances Cabrini is the patron saint of immigrants. Honor her feast day by contacting Congress calling for Immigration Reform.
- Join Justice for Immigrants’ national Call-to-Congress 855-589-5698 and tell them it’s time to fix our broken immigration system. Feel free to use this script:
I am from City, State, Congregation /Community and as a person of faith, I support genuine immigration reform. I urge the Representative to persuade House leadership to take up immediately reform that creates a path to citizenship and reunites families. Give us reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving. Pass genuine immigration reform before the Thanksgiving recess!
Through all of our efforts, let us remember Francis’ words in the Canticle of Brother Sun:
“Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.”
instruments of peace 