Immigration: An IHM Response Contemplative Stance from Chapter 2016 “Build upon our rich IHM tradition of education and outreach to the poor and needy, especially by hospitality towards people of all cultures and advocacy on behalf of immigrants.” Our fall focus on immigration radiates from the enlightenment of our Contemplative Stance. PAUSE And today, we would like to share with you some important information on this timely topic.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Our concern for the immigrant is gospel mandated and rooted in Jesus’ very words. “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

the right to find opportunities in their homeland. Persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland. Five Basic Principals of Catholic Social Teaching Relating to Migration 2nd Speaker Did you know that the US Catholic Bishops have outlined 5 basic principles related to migration? The first principle states that a person has a right not to migrate. In other words, economic, social, and political conditions in their homeland should provide an opportunity for a person to work and support his or her family in dignity and safety.

Persons have the right to migrate Five Basic Principals of Catholic Social Teaching Relating to Migration Persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families. When persons are unable to find work and support themselves and their families, they have a right to migrate to other countries and work. In the current condition of the world, in which global poverty is rampant and political unrest has resulted in wars and persecution, migrants who are forced to leave their homes out of necessity and seek only to survive and support their families must be given special consideration.

Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders. Five Basic Principals of Catholic Social Teaching Relating to Migration Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders. The Church recognizes the right of nations to protect and control its borders. However, this is not an absolute right. Nations also have an obligation to the universal common good, as articulated by Pope John XXII in Pacem in Terris, and thus should seek to accommodate migration to the greatest extent possible. Powerful economic nations, such as the United States, have a higher obligation to serve the universal common good, according to Catholic social teachings. In the current global economic environment, the United States should establish an immigration system that provides avenues for persons to enter the nation legally in a safe, orderly, and dignified manner to obtain jobs and reunite with family members.

Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection. Five Basic Principals of Catholic Social Teaching Relating to Migration Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection. Persons who flee their home countries because they fear persecution should be afforded safe haven and protection in another country. The United States should employ a refugee and asylum system that protects asylum seekers, refugees, and other forced migrants and offers them a haven from persecution.

The human dignity and human rights Five Basic Principals of Catholic Social Teaching Relating to Migration The human dignity and human rights of migrants should be respected. Persons who enter a nation without proper authorization or who over-stay their visas should be treated with respect and dignity. They should not be detained in deplorable conditions for lengthy periods of time or abused in any manner. They should be afforded due process of the law and should not be blamed for the social ills of a nation.

Why does the Church care about immigration? 1st Speaker Based on Scripture and Catholic social teachings, as well as her own experience as an immigrant Church in the United States, the Catholic Church and we as her daughters are compelled to raise our voices on behalf of those who are marginalized and whose God-given rights are not respected.

Based on Scripture and Catholic social teachings, as well as her own experience as an immigrant Church in the United States, the Catholic Church and we as her daughters are compelled to raise our voices on behalf of those who are marginalized and whose God-given rights are not respected.

Why does the Church care about immigration policies? 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.  Our nation’s border enforcement strategies have been ineffective and have led to the death of thousands of migrants.

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.  Our nation’s border enforcement strategies have been ineffective and have led to the death of thousands of migrants.

Does the 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. 

We do not condone unlawful entry or circumventions of our nation’s immigration laws.  We 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. 

Does the 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 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 Fine Line between Fact and Fiction 2nd Speaker As educators we need to know that there is a fine line between fact and fiction, truth and commonly believed myths.

MYTH: Immigrants take jobs away from U.S. citizens. This claim is not true, for two reasons. First, studies show that immigrant workers supplement, rather than displace, native workers, and, by and large do not compete for the same jobs with native citizens. According to a recent study by the University of California-Davis, immigrant workers fill jobs in certain industries that are not filled by American workers. Second, government studies show that the U.S. economy will experience a shortage of low-skilled workers in the years ahead.. Moreover, the number of native workers in unskilled worker categories is shrinking, due to lower fertility rates and higher education levels.

MYTH: Immigrants don’t pay taxes. Immigrants pay taxes, in the form of income, property, sales tax at the federal and state level.  Undocumented immigrants pay income taxes as well, as evidenced by the Social Security Administration’s “suspense file”, taxes that cannot be matched to workers’ names and social security numbers, which grew by $20 billion between 1990 and 1998.

MYTH: Immigrants come here to take welfare. Immigrants come to work and reunite with family members.  In 2005 the Immigrant tax payments total $20 to $30 billion more than the amount of government services they use.

MYTH: Immigrants send all their money back to their home countries. In addition to the consumer spending of immigrant households, immigrants and their businesses contribute $90-140 billion in tax revenue to U.S. federal, state, and local governments.  While it is true that immigrants remit billions of dollars a year to their home countries, this is one of the most targeted and effective forms of direct foreign investment.       

MYTH: Immigrants are a drain on the U.S. economy. As Alan Greenspan points out, 70% of immigrants arrive in prime working age.  That means we haven’t spent a penny on their education, yet they are transplanted into our workforce and will contribute $500 billion toward our social security system over the next 20 years

MYTH: Immigrants don’t want to learn English or become Americans. Within ten years of arrival, more than 75% of immigrants speak English well; moreover, demand for English classes at the adult level far exceeds supply.  Greater than 33% of immigrants are naturalized citizens; given increased immigration in the 1990s, this figure will rise as more legal permanent residents become eligible for naturalization in the coming years. 

What Can We Do? Pray Educate Act 1st Speaker PRAY Pray for all immigrants, for a conversion of those who misunderstand them, and for wisdom for policymakers. EDUCATE We are educators. Let us first educate ourselves on the issues and share what we’ve learned with others. ACT Reach out to the immigrants among you, contact your congressmen, write editorials, advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Together we can make a difference.

For more information talk to your local social justice contact sister or visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org 2nd Speaker For more information talk to your local social justice contact sister, or visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org Thank you, Sisters, for your time and for all you do to bring about peace and justice in our world.