Justice for Immigrants: The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform

The Campaign's primary objectives are:
*To educate the public about Church teaching on migration and immigrants;
*To create political will for positive immigration reform;
*To enact legislative an administrative reforms based on the principles articulated by the bishops; and
*To organize Catholic networks to assist qualified immigrants obtain the benefits of the reforms

EDUCATION RESOURCES
JFI Documents
Immigration Basics
Who is an Immigrant
How do Immigrants get admitted to permanently reside here?
Who is a refugee?
Who is an undocumented Immigrant?
Visas
Naturalization

Catholic Bishops Call for Immigration Reform
Economics and Migration: The Facts
Response to Undocumented Immigration
Myths About Immigrants

For More Information Go to http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/

Catholic Social Teaching Resources on Immigration

Articles
"Why don't they come legally? They can't"

BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER
aoppenheimer@MiamiHerald.com
After my last column criticizing Arizona's xenophobic immigration law, I got an avalanche of readers' comments. Most of them were angry anti-immigrant tirades, but some made important points that deserve an answer.

I won't waste your time responding to those that reek of racial prejudice. Instead, I will try to respond to some of the most common criticisms made by intelligent, well-meaning people whose arguments can't be dismissed as coming from the lunatic fringe.

Denise, who describes herself as a "white Anglo who has lived in Miami all my life'' and wonders "how much longer I will be able to live in the town I grew up in,'' writes: "I am already a minority who is discriminated against and often feel that I live in a foreign country because of the huge population of Latins who insist on speaking Spanish.

"My question to you is, Why is it so awful for the citizens of the United States to simply ask immigrants who wish to live in America to do so legally? And why should we reward those who broke the law and came here illegally?'' she asks. "Maybe in your next article you can address these questions.''

Major Reasons

Well, Denise, let me try. There are four major reasons why I take issue with the premise behind your questions.

 Read more:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/29/1603473/why-dont-they-come-legally-they.html#ixzz0mXu6fmMO

On Immigration by Frank Pauc
The immigration debate seems to revolve around whether the newcomers to our country are here lawfully or not. Passions run high regarding the legality of their presence among us. I think that we should be looking at the morality of the issue rather than strictly at the legal aspect of it. After all, man-made laws and morality are not necessarily the same things.
Read More

Campaign to Reform Immigration for America is a united national effort that brings together individuals and grassroots organizations with the mission to build support for workable comprehensive immigration reform. The campaign connects people from communities across the country who are ready to work together towards achieving the 279 votes needed to win just and humane comprehensive immigration reform legislation: 218 votes in the House of Representatives, 60 votes in the Senate, and one signature from the President.

Catholics for Peace and Justice is joining together with advocates and leaders from our community to work toward reforming immigration law in our country.  We ask that you read about the national Campaign to Reform Immigration for America at their website www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org .

Statement of their “Principles of Immigration Reform”

Please Start Contacting Your Legislators Now