Catholic Relief Services Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Humanitarian Aid Workers Available for Interviews
April 13, 2006, —
The Senate should make comprehensive and humane immigration reform a top priority when it returns in two weeks, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official humanitarian and development agency of the US Catholic community, said.
With debate stalled in the Senate and demonstrations underway in cities nationwide, CRS joins the US Catholic Bishops, urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration legislation that addresses the root cause of migration, includes an earned legalization program for the undocumented currently in the U.S., a temporary worker program with worker protections for both U.S. and foreign-born workers and family-based immigration reform.
CRS opposes any enforcement-only bill, such as the House-adopted, “Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control” bill, known as H.R. 4437.
Punitive, enforcement-only legislation will not only be ineffective in resolving the current immigration crisis, it would also cause considerable additional hardship for immigrants and our nation.
“True and effective immigration reform must provide pathways to legal residency and citizenship for immigrants already living in the United States. It requires a guest worker program with adequate worker protections and it must keep families—the cornerstone of a strong society—intact by cutting down on family visa backlogs,” said Mary DeLorey,
CRS’ strategic issues advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean Region.
Last week Senate leadership from both parties announced a migration reform compromise that, though far from perfect, moved in the right direction towards addressing many of the elements necessary for viable immigration reform. But differences over amendments derailed the legislation before it could face a vote on the floor. Senate members adjourned for two weeks Friday. Key senators who have played a critical role in advancing immigration reform have vowed to take up the bill again when they return April 24.
Our Catholic faith calls on us to uphold the dignity of the poor and vulnerable among us, whether they live in the United States or overseas. In response to this call, CRS serves displaced people, refugees, migrants and victims of human trafficking worldwide, daily confronting the suffering and exploitation of migrants and families separated across borders often for years. At the same time, CRS works with the Catholic Church throughout the world to create economic opportunities so that people are not forced to migrate.
The Catholic Church has a unique and compelling perspective in this national debate and has previously launched the Justice for Immigrants campaign to help fuel immigration reform in Congress. To arrange an interview with any of the below candidates, please call Robyn Fieser at 410-951-7341 or John Rivera at 410-951-7399.
Available for interviews:
Bill O’Keefe, CRS Director of Policy and Advocacy
Mary DeLorey, CRS Strategic Issues Advisor-Latin America/Caribbean Region
Erica Dahl-Bredine, Country Manager, CRS/ Mexico
Richard Jones, Country Representative, CRS/El Salvador
CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in 99 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.
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