ࡱ> -/,` Ebjbj 4&E  ,   $ hJ   GGG" G GGG 0Hߴ4y.G 0, G=GGd""G:N = , $ E-Column by Archbishop John Vlazny ************************ FULL IMMIGRATION REFORM, NOT JUST ENFORCEMENT, WILL SOLVE ILLS Back in November of 2000 we American bishops issued a statement entitled "Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity." At that time we said, "We Catholic bishops commit ourselves to continue to work at the national level to promote recognition of the human rights of all, regardless of their immigration status, and to advance fair and equitable legislation for refugees and prospective immigrants." That commitment is presently being tested as a result of the legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives back in December which, if enacted into law, would make undocumented immigrants and those who assist them criminals. We bishops advocated a much more comprehensive approach to the problems of immigrants, but the House Bill is an enforcement-only measure. It simply will not fix the ills of the current immigration system. This month the U.S. Senate begins its work on immigration reform proposals. It is our hope that the discussions of the senators will remedy the unfortunate proposal which received support in the House. My purpose in calling this matter to your attention is to encourage you to become involved in advocating more effective reforms. The voices of good people like yourselves need to be heard if we are ever going to achieve a more humane response to the problems of the current immigration system. They have a devastating effect on immigrants and the broader community. But without information, most of us will stand on the sidelines and allow havoc to prevail. Many people are frustrated about the lack of political will to fix our broken immigration system. Many Americans believe that our current laws are outdated, ineffective and in serious need of repair. The enforcement-only proposal adopted by the House of Representatives is not the answer. In recent years our government has increased significantly the amount of resources for border enforcement. But the legal immigration provisions of our nation's laws have not been addressed. As a result, many desperate people who have limited or not legal means to come to our country for jobs and to be with family clandestinely cross the borders in record numbers. What's wrong with the House bill? First of all, it would criminalize undocumented presence and all who would assist such persons, including those providing humanitarian aid, which most people of faith would consider a responsibility when confronted with a brother or sister in Christ who is in need. The bill also requires the detention of families and children, trafficking victims and other vulnerable people. Potentially it would deport asylum-seekers to the very governments from which they fled persecution. This bill will not fix the problems or make our country any safer, but it would change the character of a nation which historically has been a haven of hope for those without hope. If our government is to develop appropriate immigration reform proposals, certain elements must be kept in mind. I encourage you to become better acquainted with these matters yourselves and make sure that our legislators, particularly Senators Wyden and Smith, are so informed. Reform must be comprehensive. The reforms must deal with a) the undocumented immigrants working and living in our country, b) legal means to enter the country for work and to join family members, and c) enforcement strategies that are effectively targeted and that uphold human dignity. Our nation must work with other nations to encourage opportunities for people in their home countries to achieve a dignified living and not be compelled to migrate out of necessity. Undocumented immigrants in our country must be given the opportunity to earn the right to remain in the United States. This should be possible if they satisfy certain criteria, such as they are not a security threat nor a criminal. Once background and security checks are passed, these people should be eligible for permanent residence and citizenship, if they so desire. There should be greater legal means by which needed workers can be admitted, both temporarily and permanently. After all, there are jobs available to these people which our own citizens don't seem to desire. Such a worker's visa program must also protect the wages and working conditions of our own fellow citizens and immigrant workers. Migrant workers should be provided the appropriate legal avenues whereby they could enter and work in a safe, orderly and dignified manner. The debilitating and inhumane family visa backlogs that currently keep families separated for years should be eliminated. Family life is always the cornerstone of a strong society. Family unity must be ensured by our immigration laws. Finally, security should be strengthened and the rule of law needs to be restored. This will only happen when there is a comprehensive overhaul of our immigration system whereby a path to permanent status for immigrants here is provided and expanded visa availability is also in place for people who will be coming in the future. Effective enforcement will require smart inspections and screening processes, fair proceedings, efficient processing and, not parenthetically, strategies for cracking down on smugglers. Senators McCain and Kennedy have introduced the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S.1033). In the view of your bishops this bill should be supported. It seems to be the best proposal thus far that will embody the comprehensive reforms proposed by the bishops back in the year 2000. I encourage your advocacy for its adoption and your prayers for all those who are strangers among us without adequate protections of the law and support of their neighbors. A letter to our senators about these matters would be a wonderful Lenten exercise to pave the way for Easter hope among immigrant families. 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