Immigration
- Posted by NETWORK on June 25th, 2008 filed in Immigration, Issues, NETWORK
The dignity of the human person is the foundation and center of the Catholic Social Tradition. Public policy which does not uphold this value is unjust. Therefore, a just immigration policy must give preferential consideration to those who are most vulnerable. It must provide haven for those in need, protect workers from exploitation, promote family reunification, ensure public benefits are readily available, extend the full protection of U.S. law, offer a reasonable legalization program to undocumented workers, and address the root cause of migration: lack of economic opportunity.
Background
The United States is a nation of immigrants and neighbors that continue to mold the face of the country. Over 37.5 million immigrants live in the U.S. and an estimated 11.5 million are undocumented. Immigrants and their children bring long-term economic benefits through payment of U.S. taxes, supporting social security, and by filling positions where willing or qualified US workers are unavailable. In 2008 alone, it is estimated that undocumented immigrants will contribute $651 billion to U.S. GDP.
Despite the overall economic contribution, many immigrants are subject to exploitation at the hands of employers who pay illegally low wages and expose workers to dangerous working conditions under the threat of deportation. In addition, many US citizen children (born to undocumented persons) suffer from reduced access to public assistance programs and health insurance coverage because of their parent’s status. Even many legally present immigrant children and pregnant women do not have access to health care and must resort to costly emergency rooms for primary care.
If their parents are placed in deportation proceedings, U.S. citizen children face either separation form their parents or a life outside the country they know. Additionally, many high school honor students brought to the U.S. many years ago by undocumented parents face limited prospects for completing further education. Instead of facing the potential of a college degree and career, eighteen year old recent high school graduates may face deportation upon graduation.
Learn More:
NETWORK on Immigration Reform
Catholic Relief Services
CRS provides information on migration, internally displaced persons, refugees, and human trafficking, as well as how you can make a difference.
Justice For Immigrants: The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform
Tools and information for diocesan and community-based organizing, education, and advocacy efforts. Information about Catholic teaching, as well as proposals from the Catholic Bishops to achieve reforms in our nation’s immigration laws and policies that better reflect our values as a nation of immigrants.
National Council of La Raza
The National Council of La Raza works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization which conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy to providing a Latino perspective in five key areas - assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health.
Interfaith Worker Justice
A NETWORK partner, Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) calls upon religious values to educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community in the U.S. on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers. See the IWJ’s immigration study guide.
National Migration Conference 2008
Co-sponsored by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS), this event examines the unjust and inhumane treatment of victims of human trafficking, migrant children in detention, undocumented migrants, and other vulnerable persons seeking safe haven and a better life in this country.
