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WASHINGTON (June 8, 2007) — The Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration has called upon the U.S. Senate to return to consideration of comprehensive immigration reform legislation as soon as possible.
"Our nation cannot afford to wait to resolve this important humanitarian issue," said Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino.
"It is important that the U.S. Senate improve the legislation to preserve family unity and to ensure that the legalization program is workable and fair," Bishop Barnes said. "The U.S. Bishops will work with the Senate to make these changes and for passage of the legislation."
The full text of the statement by Bishop Barnes follows.
Bishop of San Bernardino, California
Chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration
On
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
June 7, 2007
On behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I call upon the U.S. Senate to return to consideration of comprehensive immigration reform legislation as soon as possible. Our nation cannot afford to wait to resolve this important humanitarian issue.
It is important that the U.S. Senate improve the legislation to preserve family unity and to ensure that the legalization program is workable and fair. The U.S. bishops will work with the Senate to make these changes and for passage of the legislation.
The issue of immigration is too important for our elected officials to abandon. It cannot wait for several more years. Human beings are suffering and dying. Justice demands that our elected officials stop this suffering and mend our broken immigration system. Our nation can create an immigration system which serves our economic needs and upholds the rights and dignity of the human person.