Migration Issues

The butterfly is the symbol of Dreamers, most of whom come from Central American countries, and like butterflies have migrated to the US. In Solidarity with Dreamers in our community and around the United States we will have a butterfly on our weekly bulletin. This will also remind us to contact our lawmakers to pass legislation that will help our neighbors. 

Find your lawmakers here.
 

The first source of the Church's teaching on Immigration comes from the Bible.

• "You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt" (Lv 19:33-34).

• "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that All persons should have the right to migrate in search of work, peace and stability, and that more prosperous nations have the duty to accept migrants in search of a better life.

2211 The political community has a duty to honor the family, to assist it, and to ensure especially:
- the right to private property, to free enterprise, to obtain work and housing, and the right to emigrate;

2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act), was first introduced in the Senate in August 2001. It has been introduced many times since then, but failed to pass both chambers of Congress. The law would grant conditional resident status for two year periods to immigrants who arrived under the age of 16 and had lived continuously in the United States. After 6 years of good behavior, as well as graduating from college or serving in the military, Dreamers would be eligible for permanent resident status. 

On September 6th, President Trump announced that program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA would end March 5th. This program which allows immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children, two year permits to work and study in the US. It was put into place by the Obama administration after failed attempts to pass the DREAM Act in Congress. The DREAM Act would provide a path to residency for "Dreamers" or undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children. The repel of DACA, has put the lives and futures of these Dreamers in limbo until Congress acts to pass the DREAM Act. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have released many statements condemning the repel of DACA and urging Congress to pass legislation protecting Dreamers and allowing a path to permanent resident status.