USCCB MIGRATION CHAIRMAN LAUDS COURT DECISION REGARDING ARIZONA SB 1070, URGES COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM - July 29, 2010

WASHINGTON— As chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City applauded the July 28 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to halt some of the most controversial provisions of Arizona SB 1070 from going into effect the next day. Bishop Wester lamented the status quo on immigration as “unacceptable” and called for the Federal government to act immediately on immigration reform.

            "It is the right decision,” Bishop Wester said.  “Any law that provides legal cover to profiling affects all members of our communities, including legal residents and citizens.  It is a very slippery slope. What is needed now is for Congress and the Administration to live up to their responsibilities and address this issue by passing immigration reform."

            The U.S. Catholic bishops believe that any comprehensive immigration reform bill should contain the following elements: a legalization program that gives migrant workers and their families an opportunity to earn legal permanent residency and eventual citizenship;  a new worker visa program that protects the labor rights of both U.S. and foreign workers and gives participants the option to earn permanent residency; reform of the U.S. family-based immigration system to reduce waiting times for family reunification; and restoration of due process protections for immigrants, including asylum-seekers. In the longer term, policies that address the root causes of migration, such as the lack of sustainable development in sending nations, should also be part of the equation. [Catholic News Service]
---

*******************************************************************************************************

WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
Statement by the President on Today’s (March 11) Meetings on Immigration Reform

Today I met with Senators Schumer and Graham and was pleased to learn of their progress in forging a proposal to fix our broken immigration system.  I look forward to reviewing their promising framework, and every American should applaud their efforts to reach across party lines and find commonsense answers to one of our most vexing problems.  I also heard from a diverse group of grassroots leaders from around the country about the growing coalition that is working to build momentum for this critical issue.  I am optimistic that their efforts will contribute to a favorable climate for moving forward.  I told both the Senators and the community leaders that my commitment to comprehensive immigration reform is unwavering, and that I will continue to be their partner in this important effort.

Senator Chuch Schumer to Lead New Effort at Immigration Reform,
Irish Central, Jan 4, 2010

DHS Secy. Napolitano's Remarks on Immigration Reform, Nov 13, 2009

Immigration Reform is Good for Economic Recovery, Center for American Progress, Nov 2009

New Irish American Leadership Group Meets in New York, Irish Voice, Oct 22, 2009

US Immigration Plans to Charge EU Travellers G lobal Visas, Sept 2009

Immigration and Hope Are Inseparable, Arch. Agnostino Marchetto, Secy. for the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers, Rome, Italy, Mar 1, 2009

Grant Aid for Overseas Criminals Doubled to 30,000 Euros, Sunday Business Post Online,
August 10, 2008

Druver's License or Passport Preferred ID at Checkpoints, Spring 2008

National Migration Week - U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Jan 3, 2008

Surge Brings New Immigration Backlog - New York Times, Nov 26, 2007

TDs United to Seek Special Deal for Irish in US - The Irish Times, Nov 2007

Irish Illegals in US - Irish Times, Oct 2007

U.S. Seeks Rules to Allow Increase in Guestworkers
New York Times, October 10, 2007

Ireland Steps Up as Immigration Leader - Chistian Science Monitor - Sept 2007

Pols Pick Bogus Bills Over Immigration Reform
New York Daily News - July 19, 2007

Immigration's Economic Impact
Council of Economic Advisers, Office of the President, June 20, 2007