Questions About the Catholic Church's Position on Immigration

Why does the church care about immigration policies?

The Catholic Church has historically held a strong interest in immigration and how public policy affects immigrants seeking a new life in the United States. Based on Scriptural and Catholic social teachings, as well as her own experience as an immigrant Church in the United States, the Catholic Church is compelled to raise her voice on behalf of those who are marginalized and whose God-given rights are not respected.
The Church believes that current immigration laws and policies have often led to the undermining of immigrants’ human dignity and have kept families apart. The existing immigration system has resulted in a growing number of persons in this country in an unauthorized capacity, living in the shadows as they toil in jobs that would otherwise go unfilled. Close family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents must wait years for a visa to be reunited. And, our nation’s border enforcement strategies have been ineffective and have led to the death of thousands of migrants.
The Church has a responsibility to shine the message of God on this issue and help to build bridges between all parties so that an immigration system can be created that is just for all and serves the common good, including the legitimate security concerns of our nation.

Does the Catholic Church support illegal immigration?

The Catholic Bishops do not condone unlawful entry or circumventions of our nation’s immigration laws. The bishops believe that reforms are necessary in order for our nation’s immigration system to respond to the realities of separated families and labor demands that compel people to immigrate to the United States, whether in an authorized or unauthorized fashion.
Our nation’s economy demands foreign labor, yet there are insufficient visas to meet this demand. Close family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents face interminable separations, sometimes of twenty years or longer, due to backlogs of available visas. U.S. immigration laws and policies need to be updated to reflect these realties.

Does the Catholic Church support “amnesty”?

The Catholic bishops are proposing an earned legalization for those in this country in an unauthorized status and who have built up equities and are otherwise admissible. “Amnesty,” as commonly understood, implies a pardon and a reward for those who did not obey immigration laws, creating inequities for those who wait for legal entry. The bishops’ proposal is not an “amnesty.”
The Bishops’ earned legalization proposal provides a window of opportunity for undocumented immigrants who are already living in our communities and contributing to our nation to come forward, pay a fine and application fee, go through rigorous criminal background checks and security screenings, demonstrate that they have paid taxes and are learning English, and obtain a visa that could lead to permanent residency, over time.

Excerpts from Strangers No Longer--Together on the Journey of Hope

The following excerpts are from Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, a joint statement from the Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the United States.

• We speak as two Episcopal conferences but as one Church, united in the view that migration is necessary and beneficial. At the same time, some aspects of the migrant experience are far from the vision of the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed: many persons who seek to migrate are suffering, and, in some cases, dying; human rights are abused; families are kept apart; and racist and xenophobic attitudes remain. (#2)

• As pastors to more than sixty-five million U.S. Catholics, we witness the human consequences of migration in the life of society every day. We witness the vulnerability of our people involved in all sides of the migration phenomenon, including families devastated by the loss of loved ones....and children left alone when parents are removed from them. (#4)

• Migrants and immigrants are in our parishes and in our communities. In both our countries, we see much injustice and violence against them and much suffering and despair among them because civil and church structures are still inadequate to accommodate their needs. (#5)

To Whom We Speak

• We speak to migrants who are forced to leave their lands to provide for their families or to escape persecution. We stand in solidarity with you. We commit ourselves to your pastoral care and to work towards changes in church and societal structures that impede your exercising your dignity and living as children of God. (#9)

• We speak to public officials in both nations, from those who hold the highest offices to those who encounter the migrant on a daily basis. We thank our nations presidents for the dialogue they have begun in an effort to humanize the migration phenomenon. (Page 3, Paragraph 10) We ask our presidents to continue negotiations on migration issues to achieve a system of migration between the two countries that is more generous, just, and humane. (#104)

• Finally, we speak to the peoples of the United States and Mexico. ur two nations are more interdependent than ever before in our history, sharing cultural and social values, common interests, and hopes for the future. Our nations have a singular opportunity to act as true neighbors and to work together to build a more just and generous immigration system. (#12)

Catholic Social Teachings

• All persons have the right to find in their own countries the economic, political, and social opportunities to live in dignity and achieve a full life through the use of their God-given gifts. In this context, work that provides a just, living wage is a basic human need. (#34)

• The Church recognizes the right of sovereign nations to control their territories but rejects such control when it is exerted merely for the purpose of acquiring additional wealth. ore powerful economic nations, which have the ability to protect and feed their residents, have a stronger obligation to accommodate migration flows. (#36)

• The Church recognizes that all goods of the earth belong to all people. hen persons cannot find employment in their country of origin to support themselves and their families, they have a right to find work elsewhere in order to survive. Sovereign nations should provide ways to accommodate this right. (#35)

• Those who flee wars and persecution should be protected by the global community. This requires, at a minimum, that migrants have a right to claim refugee status without incarceration and to have their claims fully considered by a competent authority. (#37)

• Regardless of their legal status, migrants, like all persons, possess inherent human dignity which should be respected. Government policies that respect the basic human rights of the undocumented are necessary. (#38)

Policy Recommendations

• Globalization and Economic Development

Now is the time for both the United States and Mexico to confront the reality of globalization and to work toward the globalization of solidarity. Both governments have recognized the integration of economic interests through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It is now time to harmonize policies on the movement of people, particularly in a way that respects the human dignity of the migrant and recognizes the social consequences of globalization. (Page 31, Paragraph 57)
The creation of employment opportunities in Mexico would help to reduce poverty and would mitigate the incentive for many migrants to look for employment in the United States. The implementation of economic policies in Mexico that create living wage jobs is vital, especially for citizens without advanced skills. (Page 32, Paragraph 61)

• Family-Based Immigration

The U.S. legal immigration system places per-country limits on visas for family members of U.S. legal permanent residents from Mexico. Spouses and parents thus face a difficult decision: either honor their moral commitment to family and migrate to the United States without documentation, or wait in the system and face indefinite separation from loved ones. This is an unacceptable choice, and a policy which encourages undocumented migration. A new framework must be established that will give Mexican families more opportunities to legally reunited with their loved ones in the United States. (Page 33-34, Paragraphs 65-66)

• Legalization of the Undocumented 

A broad legalization program of the undocumented would benefit not only the migrants but also both nations. Legalization represents sound public policy and should be featured in any migration agreement between the United States and Mexico. In order to ensure fairness for all nationalities, the U.S. Congress should enact a legalization program for immigrants regardless of their country of origin. (Page 35, Paragraphs 69-70)

• Employment-Based Immigration

In order to prevent future abuse of workers, any new temporary worker program must afford Mexican and other foreign workers wage levels and employment benefits that are sufficient to support a family in dignity; must include worker protections and job portability that U.S. workers have; must allow for family unity; must employ labor-market tests to ensure that U.S. workers are protected; and must grant workers the ability to move easily and securely between the United States and their homelands. It must employ strong enforcement mechanisms to protect worker = s rights and give workers the option to become lawful permanent residents after a specific amount of time. Reform in worker programs must be coupled with a broad-based legalization program. (Page 36-37, Paragraphs 72, 75)

• Enforcement Policies

Alarmingly, migrants often are treated as criminals by civil enforcement authorities. Misperceptions and xenophobic and racist attitudes in both the United States and Mexico contribute to an atmosphere in which undocumented persons are discriminated against and abused. Reports of physical abuse of migrants by U.S. Border Patrol agents, the Mexican authorities and, in some cases, U.S. and Mexican residents, are all too frequent, including the use of excessive force and the shackling of migrants’ hands and feet. (Page 39, Paragraph 80)

In order to address these excesses, both governments must create training mechanisms that instruct enforcement agents in the use of appropriate tactics for enforcing immigration law. We urge the U.S. and Mexican governments to include human rights curricula in their training regimens so that immigration enforcement personnel are more sensitive to the handling of undocumented migrants. (Page 41, Para. 85)

We urge both the U.S. and Mexican enforcement authorities to abandon the type of strategies that give rise to smuggling operations and migrant deaths. Care should be taken not to push migrants to routes in which their lives may be in danger. We also urge more concerted efforts to root out smuggling enterprises at their source using a wide range of intelligence and investigative tactics. (Page 43, Paragraph 89)

• Due Process

In 1996, the U.S. Congress eviscerated due process rights for migrants with the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), which authorizes the detention and deportation of migrants for relatively minor offenses, even after they have served their sentences. We urge the U.S. Congress to revisit this law and to make appropriate changes consistent with due process rights. We also urge the Mexican government to honor the right to due process for all those who are in the country, specifically documented and undocumented migrants who do not now enjoy due process and who may be removed from the country for arbitrary reasons. (Page 44, Paragraphs 92-93)

• Protection of Asylum Seekers

We restate our long-held position that asylum seekers and refugees should have access to qualified adjudicators who will objectively consider their pleas. We urge both countries to take a leadership role in the Regional Conference on Migration ( Puebla Process) and to work with our Central American neighbors to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees throughout our hemisphere have access to appropriate due process protections consistent with international law. (Page 46, Paragraph 99)

Pastoral Recommendations

• The Church should encourage these broad-based efforts to provide both a comprehensive network of social services and advocacy for migrant families. A special call is issued for lawyers in both our countries to assist individuals and families in navigating the arduous immigration process and to defend the rights of migrants, especially those in detention. (Page 22, Paragraph 44)

• Ideally, local parishes should ensure that sacramental preparation is available to people on the move, making special provisions for them given their transitory lives of following work wherever it leads. (Page 23, Paragraph 47)

• Careful and generous cooperation between dioceses is important to provide priests and religious who are suited for this important ministry. Guidelines for their training and reception by the host diocese must be developed jointly with the diocese that sends them. (Page 25, Paragraph 50)

Conclusion

• We recognize the phenomenon of migration as an authentic sign of the times. We see it in both our countries through the suffering of those who have been forced to become migrants for many reasons. To such a sign we must respond in common and creative ways so that we may strengthen the faith, hope, and charity of migrants and all the people of God. (Page 47, Paragraph 102)

• We ask our presidents to continue negotiations on migration issues to achieve a system of migration between the two countries that is more generous, just, and humane. We call for legislatures of our two countries to effect a conscientious revision of the immigration laws and to establish a binational system that accepts migration flows, guaranteeing the dignity and human rights of the migrant. (Page 48, Paragraph 104)

• We stand in solidarity with you, our migrant brothers and sisters, and we will continue to advocate on your behalf for just and fair migration policies. We commit ourselves to animate communities of Christ's disciples on both sides of the border to accompany you and your journey so that yours will truly be a journey of hope, not of despair, and so that, at the point of arrival, you will experience that you are strangers no longer and instead members of God = s household. (Page 49, Paragraph 106)

Click here for the full text of the Strangers No Longer

Common Myths About Immigration

"Immigrants Don't Want to Learn English"

The development of English proficiency among non-English speaking immigrants today mirrors that of Nineteenth and early Twentieth century immigration, when masses of Italian, German, and Eastern European immigrants came to America. While first generation, non-English speaking immigrants predictably have lower rates of English proficiency than native speakers, 91% of second generation immigrants are fluent or near fluent English speakers. By the third generation, 97% speak English fluently or near fluently.
(Source: Shirin Hakimzadeh and D’Vera Cohn, “English Usage Among Hispanics in the United States,” Pew Hispanic Forum, Dec. 6, 2007. http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=82; Janet Murguia and Cecilia Muñoz, “From Immigrant to Citizen,” The American Prospect (Oct. 23, 2005), http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=10487)

"Immigrants Don't Pay Taxes"

Undocumented immigrants pay taxes. Between one half and three quarters of undocumented immigrants pay state and federal taxes. They also contribute to Medicare and provide as much as 7 billion dollars a year to the Social Security Fund. Further still, undocumented workers pay sales taxes where applicable and property taxes—directly if they own and indirectly if they rent.
(Source: Immigration Policy Center, “Undocumented Immigrants as Taxpayers,” (November 2007), http://www.ailf.org/ipc/factchecks/UndocumentedasTaxpayer.pdf; Eduardo Porter “ Illegal Immigrants are Bolstering Social Security with Billions,” New York Times, (April 5, 2005), http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/business/05immigration.html?ex=1270353600&en=78c87ac4641dc383&ei=5090&partner=kmarx)

"Immigrants Increase the Crime Rate"

Research has shown that immigrant communities do not increase the crime rate and that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native born Americans. While the undocumented immigrant population doubled from 1994 to 2005, violent crime dropped by 34% and property crimes decreased by 32%. Furthermore, Harvard sociologist Robert Sampson has found that first generation immigrants are 45% less likely to commit violent crimes than Americanized, third generation immigrants.
(Source: Immigration Policy Center, “Ímmigrants and Crime: Are They Connected,” December, 2007, http://www.ailf.org/ipc/factchecks/CrimeFactCheck10-16-07.pdf; Robert Sampson, “Open Doors Don’t Invite Criminals,” The New York Times, March 11, 2006, A15; Executive Office of the President: Council of Economic Advisors, “Immigration’s Economic Impact,” June 20, 2007, http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/cea_immigration_062007.html)

"Immigrants Take Jobs Away from Americans"

A recent study produced by the Pew Hispanic Center reveals that “Rapid increases in the foreign-born population at the state level are not associated with negative effects on the employment of native-born workers.” In fact, given that the number of native born low wage earners is falling nationally, immigrants are playing an important role in offsetting that decline. The Urban Institute reports that between 2000 and 2005 the total number of low wage workers declined by approximately 1.8 million while the number of unskilled immigrant workers increased by 620,000, thus offsetting the total decline by about a third.
(Source: The Urban Institute, “Trends in the Low-Wage Immigrant Labor Force, 2000-2005,” March, 2007, http://www.urban.org/publications/411426.html; Rakesh Kochhar, “Growth in the Foreign Born Workforce and Employment of the Native Born,” Pew Hispanic Center, August 10, 2006, http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=69)

"Immigrants Are a Drain on the United States Economy"

The immigrant community is not a drain on the U.S. economy but, in fact, proves to be a net benefit. Research reported by both the CATO Institute and the President’s Council of Economic Advisors reveals that the average immigrant pays a net 80,000 dollars more in taxes than they collect in government services. For immigrants with college degrees the net fiscal return is $198,000. Furthermore, The American Farm Bureau asserts that without guest workers the U.S. economy would lose as much as $9 billion a year in agricultural production and 20 percent of current production would go overseas.
(Source: CATO Institute, CATO Handbook for Congress: Policy Recommendations for the 108^th Congress, http://www.cato.org/pubs/handbook/hb108/hb108-63.pdf; Executive Office of the President: Council of Economic Advisors, “Immigration’s Economic Impact,” June 20, 2007, http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/cea_immigration_062007.html;
 Derrick Z. Jackson, “Undocumented Workers Contribute Plenty, The Boston Globe, April 12, 2006, http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/04/12/
 undocumented_workers_contribute_plenty/)

"Undocumented Immigrants Are a Burden on the Healthcare System"

Federal, state and local governments spend approximately 1.1 billion dollars annually on healthcare costs for undocumented immigrants, aged 18-64, or approximately $11 in taxes for each U.S. household. This compares to 88 billion dollars spent on all health care for non-elderly adults in the U.S. in 2000. Foreign born individuals tend to use fewer health care services because they are relatively healthier than their native born counterparts. For example, in Los Angeles County, “total medical spending on undocumented immigrants was $887 million in 2000 – 6 percent of total costs, although undocumented immigrants comprise 12 percent of the region's residents.”
(Source: The Rand Corporation, “RAND Study Shows Relatively Little Public Money Spent Providing Healthcare to Undocumented Immigrants,” November 14, 2006, http://www.rand.org/news/press.06/11.14.html; Dana P. Goldman, James P. Smith and Neeraj Sood, “Immigrants and the Cost of Medical Care,” Health Affairs 25, no. 6 (2006): 1700-1711)

What You Can Do

Here are suggestions for what individuals and groups can do in order to understand the issues and concerns surrounding immigration:

Remember your own family's immigrant roots. Recall the experiences your ancestors had when they came to this country. It is easy to forget that most of our families were once "outsiders," who experienced many of the same challenges that today's immigrants face. Remembering our own past, even if we need to "recreate the memories," helps us put a human face on what is otherwise a sterile and controversial political "issue."

Study the facts about immigration. Beware of election year "soundbites" which appeal to fear and prejudice. Immigration is a complicated social, economic and political issue. It cannot be easily reduced to one or two simple "facts," and it cannot be adequately addressed by appealing to people's fear of "outsiders" or terrorists. Take advantage of opportunities offered by local civic or church groups to participate in public programs and discussions about immigration. Invite friends, colleagues or neighbors to join a study group using some of the resources listed below to learn more about immigration and the plight of today's migrants and refugees.

Speak up as a voice of reason and compassion in conversations about immigration. Casual conversations have a powerful impact on people's conscious and unconscious opinions about controversial issues. Sometimes it is more comfortable to affirm what another person says, even if we don't fully agree, rather than risk confrontation. However, confrontation is not the only option. Often it is effective to express some doubts, reservations, concerns or insights which suggest that the issue is not as simple or clear-cut as we would like to think.

Urge the President and members of Congress to impose a moratorium on workplace raids. It is difficult in the current political climate to have a reasonable political discussion about immigration, even though it is a critical issue in our country. Raids by government agents on workplaces which employ undocumented workers only add to the difficulty by enflaming passions on both sides of the issue. American voters deserve and should demand a sensible and serious discussion of immigration issues before they elect public officials in November.

Urge elected officials and candidates for public office at every level to support comprehensive immigration reform. Comprehensive reform would address all of the political, economic, social, legal and human issues which contribute to the immigration "problem" in this country. Comprehensive reform would secure our borders, restore the rule of law and legalize the status of migrants in our country. Only comprehensive reform would protect the rights of American citizens and insure legal access to American jobs for poor migrants. Anything less than comprehensive reform usually amounts to political posturing. Stop-gap measures such as stricter law enforcement, deportation of undocumented workers, building fences along the border, appeal to the public's emotions but do not address the causes of illegal immigration and will not prevent it.

Contribute your time and financial support to churches and organizations which are serving immigrant families.

More Information

Here are a variety of resources for groups or individuals who want to learn more about the immigration issue:
• Text of the U.S. and Mexican bishops' statement, Strangers No Longer--Together on the Journey of Hope (2003):
http://www.usccb.org/mrs/stranger.shtml
• Immigration information and resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' "Justice for Immigrants" campaign:
www.justiceforimmigrants.org
• Immigration resources prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Migration and Refugee Services:
http://www.usccb.org/mrs/pubs.shtml#education
• Bulletin inserts on immigration issues prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in PDF format:
http://www.usccbpublishing.org/client/client_pages/bulletininserts.cfm
• Resources for pastoral leaders and educators prepared by Catholic Relief Services:
http://education.crs.org/migration.cfm
• Immigration discussion guides prepared by Catholic Relief Services' "Campus Connection":
http://campus.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=campus_migration
• A background paper about immigration prepared by the Catholic Alliance for the Common Good:
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/node/18680
• Policy statement on just immigration policy by Catholic Charities USA:
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=903
• Resources available from or recommended by Catholic Charities USA:
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=394&srcid=393
• A background brief on the politics of U.S. immigration policy prepared by the Center of Concern, a Jesuit social justice think tank:
http://www.coc.org/election2008
• Comprehensive list of statements on immigration from various religious organizations:
http://www.cirnow.org/content/en/religiousresolutions_012607.htm/
• "Welcoming the Stranger--Christians and Immigration Discussion Guide" prepared by Sojourners:
http://store.sojo.net/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DG%5FIMM&Click=52
• Sojourner's online "toolkit" for Christian leaders on comprehensive immigration reform:
http://www.sojo.net/action/alerts/CCIR_toolkit.pdf
• "Who Are My Brothers and Sisters?" is a video created by the Catholic Communications Campaign to show how Catholic parishes are responding to the needs of immigrants:
http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=86
• "The Line in the Sand" is a powerful, hour-long video which dramatizes thelives of people living along the border:
http://crs.org/dramaproject/
• "Lives for Sale" is a one-hour documentary about human trafficking and illegal immigration produced by Maryknoll and PBS Stations:
http://www.livesforsale.com/
• "A 700-mile Wall--Justice on the Border" is a lesson plan prepared by the Center of Concern:
http://education.crs.org/resources/migration/700_mile_wall.pdf
• "Journey to Justice" is a multi-lingual prayer and study unit which examines the plight of migrants and refugees:
http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=672
• "Forced From Home--U.S. Trade Policy and Immigration," is a report from Witness for Peace which examines the root causes of Latin Americans' immigration to the United States:
http://www.witnessforpeace.org/pdf/ROMdoc_2007final.pdf
• "Immigration and America's Future: A New Chapter" contains the final report and recommendations of the Independent Task Force on Immigration and America's Future, convened by the Migration Policy Institute:
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/ITFIAF/index.php
• "Behind the Naturalization Backlog" is a fact sheet which explains the causes and context behind the 18-month backlog in applications for naturalization.
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/FS21_NaturalizationBacklog_022608.pdf
• Practical suggestions from the Institute for Peace and Justice on how to develop and exercise solidarity with victims of domination:
http://www.ipj-ppj.org/Reflections%20-%20Advocacy%20Suggestions%20- %20Lesson%20Plans/Solidarity%20with%20Victims%20of%20Domination%20--%20Suggestions.htm
• Read a report from the National Council of La Raza and the Urban Institute that details the consequences of immigration enforcement operations on children's psychological, educational, economic, and social well-being:
http://nclr.org/content/publications/detail/49166
• WebQuest online study unit on the history of immigration in the United States:
http://www.walworth.k12.wi.us/Stelling/Web%20Quest/Immigration%20Web%20Quest.htm
• Study the history of immigration through oral histories at the Library of Congress:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/lessons/97/oh1/ammem.html
• Learn about the legal rights of undocumented workers provided by U.S. laws:
http://www.fairimmigration.org/learn/know-your-rights.html

Here is a list of organizations which advocate for immigration justice and reform:

• Jesuit Refugee Services: http://www.jesref.org/home.php
• National Immigrant Justice Center:
http://www.immigrantjustice.org/index.php
• National Immigration Forum: http://www.immigrationforum.org/
• Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: http://www.cirnow.org/
• Detention Watch Network: http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/
• American Friends Service Committee/Immigrant Voices Project:
http://www.afsc.org/immigrants-rights/default.htm
• Church World Services Immigration and Refugee Services:
http://www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/index.html
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services: http://www.lirs.org/
• Fair Immigration Reform Movement: http://www.fairimmigration.org/
• National Lawyers Guild Immigration Project: http://www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/