CRS calls for comprehensive immigration reform
4/12/2006

http://www.catholic.org/national/nation ... p?id=19424

Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
BALTIMORE, Md. (Catholic Online) – U.S. Senate should make comprehensive and humane immigration reform a top priority when it returns in two weeks, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) said.

Catholic Online received the April 11 statement from the official humanitarian and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community.

With debate stalled in the Senate and demonstrations underway in cities nationwide, CRS said it joins the U.S. Catholic bishops in urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration legislation that “addresses the root cause of migration.”

The Senate will return from adjournment on April 24 and are expected to then take up immigration reform legislation again.

“Senate leadership from both parties announced a migration reform compromise that, though far from perfect, moved in the right direction towards addressing many of the elements necessary for viable immigration reform,” CRS said. CRS noted that legislation should include an earned legalization program for the undocumented currently in the United States, a temporary worker program with worker protections for both U.S.- and foreign-born workers and family-based immigration reform.

The relief agency said it “opposes any enforcement-only bill,” including the House-adopted HR 4437 “Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control” bill.

“Punitive, enforcement-only legislation will not only be ineffective in resolving the current immigration crisis, it would also cause considerable additional hardship for immigrants and our nation,” CRS said.

“True and effective immigration reform must provide pathways to legal residency and citizenship for immigrants already living in the United States. It requires a guest worker program with adequate worker protections and it must keep families – the cornerstone of a strong society – intact by cutting down on family visa backlogs,” said Mary DeLorey, CRS’ strategic issues advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean Region.