Iowa’s bishops call for immigration reform
August 16, 2013
Noting that “Catholics may disagree within the limits of justice on the specific approach to reforming the immigration system,” Iowa’s four diocesan bishops have issued a statement calling for immigration reform.
“Many immigrants have been forced to leave their homes and countries in order to provide even for the most basic needs of themselves and their families,” they said in an August 14 statement. “The desperation of their circumstances does not correspond to the inordinate length of time (sometimes over 15 years) required to wait in line for the present system to process a visa request.”
“We believe that those already here, for the sake of family unity and being humane, should receive special consideration that would include eventual citizenship,” they continued. “We support measures that help secure our border but respect human rights and human life. We need a system that is humane for workers and fair to employers.”
“While Catholics may disagree within the limits of justice on the specific approach to reforming the immigration system, we must agree as a people of faith to live out the scriptural commandment to ‘welcome the stranger’ and defend the God-given dignity of every person,” they added. “We urge all Iowans to remember their history as immigrants as we work together towards a fair and compassionate resolution of this problem.”
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