Statement
of U.S. Federation of
Sisters of St. Joseph on Immigration
We,
the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, compelled
by the Gospel and by our heritage to be responsive to
the "dear neighbor" without distinction, call
on President Bush and the 2007-08 Congress to enact immigration
policy that is both just and comprehensive.
We
believe that this policy must include:
-
a
pathway to lawful permanent residence and citizenship,
-
a
process to reduce the backlog of family visas in order
to ensure family unity and reunification,
-
a
guest worker program that ensures labor protections
and equitable wages,
-
a
border security and enforcement policy that is humane,
-
a
process whereby students who are children of undocumented
families can earn a college degree and become gainfully
employed. We must remember that these children are
here through no fault of their own; and their only
desire is to become a citizen of the nation in which
they have grown up.
In
our faith response to welcome the stranger among us, we
urge Congress and the Administration to work for an immigration
system that respects the dignity of every person. Our Catholic
tradition emphasizes that all persons, regardless of their
legal status, possess inherent human dignity that should
be respected. The basic human rights of persons who are
undocumented need to be respected in all government policies.
We,
14,000 Catholic Sisters and associates, in over 50 countries
recognize that no immigration policy will be complete without
addressing the root causes of migration. Our sisters in
other countries witness conditions of poverty, violent conflict,
and environmental destruction that are the impetus for migration.
We have seen and know that poverty causes people to do whatever
is necessary for themselves and their families to survive.
The economic injustices that exist in the developing countries
must be a focus of concern in addressing the immigration
issue.
Trade
agreements which favor corporations increase poverty in
developing countries. These agreements eliminate tariffs
that provide revenue for poor governments. Imported U.S.
subsidized crops put farmers in poor countries out of business.
Poverty around the world is forcing an exodus of peoples
from their homelands in order to live. By signing on to
the Millennium Development Goals, the United States has
pledged to work toward eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
An immigration policy that is humane and compassionate must
address these root causes of migration.
The
Gospel message is clear: we are called to share our resources
and gifts with our brothers and sisters in need! As Sisters
of St. Joseph, we take seriously our call to welcome the
stranger as our brothers and sisters. As citizens, we urge
President Bush and the 2007-08 Congress to enact an immigration
policy that is reflective of the fundamental values of justice
and dignity.
| Mary
Barrar, SSJ |
Sharon
Costello, CSJ |
| Jane
DeLisle, CSJ |
Gilla
Dube, CSJ |
| Sally
M. Hodgdon, CSJ |
Pat
Kozak, CSJ |
| Kathleen
McCluskey, CSJ |
Dottie Moss, CSJ |
| Marguerite
O'Brien, SSJ |
Rosemary
O'Brien, SSJ |
| Mary
Quinn, SSJ |
Mary
Sevilla, CSJ |
February 2007
©2008
Sisters of St Joseph - Baden
1020 State Street, Baden PA 15005
724.869.2151 | 412.761.3700 | Fax: 724.869.3336
Feedback, questions and comments are welcomed at csjprbah@stargate.net
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