Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Our Catholic faith grounds us in the realization that each person has inherent dignity because he or she is created in the image and likeness of God. As children of God, we are treasured and valuable as we are. Because of this, all our national policies, including our immigration policies, should respect and protect the dignity of each person.

Our nation’s immigration system is not functioning well for our nation, for the economy, for families, nor for immigrants. Increased enforcement is tearing families apart and causing suffering for those who are otherwise willing and eager to contribute to our society. Our nation needs an immigration system that reflects our faith values and the needs of the twenty-first century. Such a system reunites families and allows workers the opportunity to come forward without fear to pay taxes and earn legalization. A functioning system will serve the needs of our nation, local communities and the nation’s families.

NETWORK believes that comprehensive immigration reform is imperative.  

In response to the clear requirements of our faith, NETWORK is advocating for:

• Realistic path to earned legalization for people in the U.S. without status including undocumented students (The DREAM Act)

• Effective program for new permanent resident petitioners

• Plan for expediting applicant backlogs for permanent residence, with family unity as a priority

• Effective program for temporary workers that safeguards against exploitation of workers

• Restoration of due process protections and reformed detention policies for those detained in the immigration system

• More emphasis on fixing “pushes” for immigration that result from U.S. trade policies and global economic conditions; capacity to track immigration patterns in the U.S.

For information about the history of immigration policies in our nation, click here.

“You must not oppress the stranger; you know how a stranger feels, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt.” -- Exodus 23: 9