Immigration
The problem
There are an estimated11 million undocumented people are today in the USA. They come from Mexico (56%) other Latin American countries (22%), Asia (13%). With no economic opportunities at home, and often fleeing violence, gangs and political persecution, they come to the US in desperation. They seek to make a living and reunite with relatives. During their journey they face: thirst, sexual assault, robbery and hunger. Upon arrival, they seek employment, yet often live in the shadows, working below minimum wage. Without a path to citizenship, undocumented people are exploited and are fearful of police and being deported. In the last 8 years there have been 2 million deportations. Despite several attempts, comprehensive immigration reform has not been enacted.
Children who accompanied their parents are often called “Dreamers”. There are approximately 8,000 Dreamers in Connecticut.
Background - DACA: Youth and Immigration
In June 1, 2012 President Obama implemented “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.”
The program’s purpose to use deferred action – an act of prosecutorial discretion meant to be applied only on an individualized case-by case basis – to confer certain benefits to “illegal aliens” that congress has not otherwise acted to provide by law. Specifically, DACA provided certain illegal aliens who entered the United States before the age of sixteen a period of deferred action and eligibility to request employment authorization. Because DACA was not codified or issued as a rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act, the incoming Administration has the authority to quickly eliminate the program.
On September 5th, 2017 President Donald Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program in what is called “the memorandum on Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”. For the 780,000 undocumented youth in the USA this meansa rejection of all DACA renewal request and associated applications for employment authorizations.
Catholic Church Teaching
Catholic social teaching is based on the notion that we all have equal dignity because we all are made in the image and likeness of God, regardless of our immigration status. The US bishops state that all persons have the right to remain in their homeland and find there the means to support themselves and their families in dignity. Migration should be driven by choice, not necessity. To achieve this goal there is a need to develop the economies of sending nations, including Mexico and the countries of Latin America, etc. Congress should also address the root causes as part of comprehensive immigration reform, so that migrants have the right and opportunity to remain in their homelands and support their families in dignity.
Pope Francis’ 2015 address to Congress he implored America’s leaders to accept those born in other countries as their own children, urging lawmakers to set aside political differences and embrace people who are searching for better life.
The pastoral letter concerning migration from Catholic Bishops of Mexico and United States, “Stanger’s No Longer,” opens the heart of the church for migrants. The letter quotes the following scripture:
Old Testament
“24.Even in the harsh stories of migration, God is present, revealing himself. Abraham stepped out in faith to respond to God's call (Gn12:1). He and Sarah extended bounteous hospitality to three strangers who were actually a manifestation of the Lord, and this became a paradigm for the response to strangers of Abraham's descendants. The grace of God even broke through situations of sin in the forced migration of the children of Jacob: Joseph, sold into slavery, eventually became the savior of his family (Gn37:45)–a type of Jesus, who, betrayed by a friend for thirty pieces of silver, saves the human family”
New Testament
“26. Recalling the migration of the Chosen People from Egypt, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph themselves were refugees in Egypt: "Out of Egypt I called my son" (Mt 2:15). From this account the Holy Family has become a figure with whom Christian migrants and refugees throughout the ages can identify, giving them hope and courage in hard times.
On September 2017 the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference, which consists ofall four bishops from Connecticut wrote a statement about DACA. In it they state:
“We ask our congressional delegation to work with members of both major political parties in obtaining the passages of DACA legislation before the six month grace period provided for in the President’s Executive Order expires. We ask our Catholic brothers and sisters to pray and reflect deeply on this issue and to remember that Christ taught that our “neighbor” is anyone that need us. We finally ask all the people of Connecticut. No matter what their faith, to support these young immigrants and the passage of DACA legislation.”
The full statement can be found at:
Things You Can Do:
Learn More - Immigration
“Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope,” Pastoral Letterfrom the Catholic Bishops of the U.S. and Mexico
Catholic Principles of Migration
Catechism Quotes on Migration and Refugees
Take Action – DACA
Write, call, or email Congressional Leadership to support bills intended to protect immigrant youth who entered the United States as children and know America as their only home.
Take Action – Immigration Reform Campaigns
Advocate for change through the USCCB Justice for Immigrant network:
Advocate for change Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.: