Church Teaching

This is really an issue of Consistent Ethic of Life: If I am pro-life, I can’t pick and choose which lives I want to support

Catholic Social Teaching Dignity of All People This is not something we earn, but given to us from God Regardless of culture, race, where someone comes from, they are entitled to dignity

Solidarity Teaches that fundamental unit of life is the family We are social beings; we are meant to interact and look after one another.

Matthew 25 (Parable of Last Judgment) Scripture Deuteronomy 10 You MUST befriend the alien, look out for the stranger Matthew 25 (Parable of Last Judgment) When I was a stranger, you welcomed me

Documents Exsul Familia Written in 1952 in response to migration of Europe after WW2 Stated that if you have to migrate to support your family financially, then you have the right to migrate.

Pacem in Terrus (Peace on Earth) in 1963 Church explicitly mentioned & affirmed human rights You have the right to migrate for just reasons

Strangers No Longer--2003 Workers have the right to economic opportunities in their homeland (internal migration) Right to migrate to support family Nations have the right to control borders Refugees have the right to seek asylum Fundamental dignity and rights of undocumented people (you can never forgo basic human rights)

Immigration is the highest supported issue among US Catholics 70% US Catholics support Church teaching (maybe not able to recognize, but they do)

Broken System Democrats and Republicans alike seem to agree on this point Backlogged records, little enforcement This issue isn’t as much about what to do for future immigrants, but what to do with the 12 million already here If the gov’t hasn’t kept proper records or enforced deporting people for over 20 years, what should be done?

System is broken, so how do we fix it? Increase family and work based visas Legalization programs for undocumented Opportunity for individuals to step forward Pay fine, pay back unpaid taxes Willing to learn English and integrate into society Ensure rights of undocumented, refugees and asylum seekers Work towards sustaining development for “sending” nations

The church is NOT calling for open borders Responsible immigration is desired Since the system is broken, we need a way to responsibly handle the mess it has created

The Catholic Church’s beliefs are the best articulated of any other religious body This issue cannot be peripheral to Catholic belief & practice. It is imperative to be lived in and through. Ultimately, we cannot violate human rights; we must create pathways for undocumented workers.