USCCB: mixed reaction to House Republicans’ immigration proposal
February 04, 2014
The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration described the House Republican leadership’s new immigration reform proposal as an “important step” but expressed concern about some of its content.
“I am encouraged by the release of these principles, which hopefully will spark action in the House of Representatives to finally address our nation’s broken immigration system,” said Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle.
“While we are pleased that there is a willingness to extend legal protection to those without status, we are concerned that most would be unable to achieve citizenship, leaving them as a permanent underclass—a minority without the same rights and protections of the majority,” he continued. “This would establish a troubling precedent that is inconsistent with our nation’s founding principles.”
“The process of meeting border security goals could take years, continuing to leave millions vulnerable to deportation,” he added.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- USCCB Chair ‘Strongly Encouraged’ By House Republican Immigration Reform Principles, Pledges To Work With All To Pass Humane Immigration Reform Legislation (USCCB)
- A look at the House GOP principles on immigration (AP)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: FredC -
Feb. 04, 2014 8:50 PM ET USA
And what does the dear bishop propose to stop the continuing influx of people who decide they want to live in the U.S.? Does the bishop want open borders? He is looking at only half the problem.
-
Posted by: Thomas429 -
Feb. 04, 2014 7:19 PM ET USA
The "Immigration System" is not broken. The existing law is not being enforced. A country that has no borders will cease to exist as a country. We must turn off the magnet(s) that draw these people here. It would be the "Christian thing" to do. The situation we have now is killing people in the desert, putting them in debt to cartels, and fostering a life in gangs for the young men.
-
Posted by: [email protected] -
Feb. 04, 2014 7:13 PM ET USA
What part of "illegal" does the USCCB not understand. Nothing is owed to the illegals. Are we to reward them for breaking our laws while others wait patiently to get work visas and work to get citizenship. The USCCB continues to denigrates and cheapens my citizenship to satisfy what they believe will be an increase in the Church. There is more information out there to show the opposite and a great dependency on government and the Democrats who are more willing to punish the Church.
