As people of faith, we stand together to call on congress to advocate and pass humane immigration reform. As a Catholic community we echo the words of Bishop Dorsonville auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, in a statement he released in October of 2021: “While Catholic social teaching affirms a sovereign nation’s right to regulate its borders, the Church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life transcends these boundaries. It is possible to maintain borders with justice and mercy. And let us not forget the reciprocal gifts of migration, especially as we benefit daily from the labors of immigrants, past and present. We must work toward an immigration system that better promotes human dignity, not only for the benefit of those seeking protection but for the common good, upon which we all depend.” Compelled by our commitment to creating a more just world, we stand in solidarity with our siblings seeking protection and human flourishing here in the United States.

Based on the experiences of our community and Catholic social teaching our Catholic community supports the following legislative solutions for working towards a just and humane immigration system:

•           End Title 42 and Migration Protection Protocols
•           Pass the Afghan Adjustment Act
•           Provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and TPS holders
•           Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act
•           Farmworker Pesticide Safety Act.

We urge all members of congress to support the above policies, and to do everything in their power to encourage and urge their colleagues to do the same. The continuation of these policies continues to strip the human right & dignity of all of those waiting at the border, places undue burden on our community and humanitarian aid organizations along the border. These policies are destroying our communities!