1. Church Teaching

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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.

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

8. 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)

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

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.