Archbishop Gomez renews call for comprehensive immigration reform
November 14, 2012
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, has renewed his call for immigration reform.
“In light of the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week, I call upon President Obama and congressional leadership to work together to enact bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform in 2013,” he said in a statement issued during the USCCB’s fall meeting. “I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress. I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement.”
“For decades, the U.S. Catholic bishops have advocated for a just and humane reform of our nation's immigration system,” he added. “We have witnessed the family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system. Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society. As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
“I invite our fellow Catholics and others of good will to make their voices heard in support of this important issue,” he concluded. “I encourage our elected officials to work toward the creation of a system which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Nov. 14, 2012 8:02 PM ET USA
Bishop Gomez should start off by saying protect the border and then consider reform. The people who cross over are called illegals for a reason. Yes, there is separation, exploiting, loss of life coming thru deserts illegally. The lofty statements do little. Be more concrete and give us real proposals. May not agree but you have something to discuss. Will the reform proposed shut down the illegality or is it just open our borders?
