Treat child migrants with dignity, Texas bishop urges Senate committee

October 22, 2015

Stating that “the Holy Family is the archetype of the refugee families we see today,” a Texas bishop testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs on October 21 and offered recommendations for “improving the response to these vulnerable populations in Central America, Mexico, the U.S.-Mexico border and in the United States.”

In Central America, “life-threatening violence at the state and local levels and a corresponding breakdown of the rule of law have threatened citizen security and created a culture of fear and hopelessness,” Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso said in his testimony. “Often the life-threatening journey north is seen as a family strategy to protect a child, as Central American governments are unable to fully protect their citizens.”

In concluding his 15 pages of testimony, Bishop Seitz said that “it is vital to remember that we still have a humanitarian crisis on our hands and more must be done. We must respond to the needs of these children and families, not to turn them away or ostracize them, as Americans are a compassionate people.”

 

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Further information:

• Echoing Pope Francis, Migration Committee Member Tells Congress To Apply The Golden Rule To Children And Families Fleeing Violence In Central America (USCCB)
• Full text of testimony (USCCB)