Chairman Welcomes Immigration Reform Proposal, Voices Concern That It Is Insufficient
WASHINGTON (January 8, 2004) -- Immigration reforms announced yesterday by President Bush are "an important first step," according to the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Migration Committee, who called for comprehensive reform "that will truly address our current immigration crisis."
"While this issuance of a proposal is an important first step in a long overdue reform of our immigration system, this particular proposal does not provide a solution to the serious problems we experience as the result of continuing undocumented migration and an immigration system that is broken," said Coadjutor Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando.
"What is needed to respond to these problems is truly comprehensive immigration reform that will provide opportunities for legalization for the undocumented currently living in the United States, temporary worker programs with full worker protections and a path to permanency, as well as a reform of our family immigration system that will allow immigrant families to reunite in a timely fashion," he said.
The plan outlined by President Bush yesterday would grant a renewable three-year term of temporary legal status on undocumented workers currently in the country, as well as allowing new immigrant workers to come to the United States as long as they have a guaranteed job awaiting them here.
"As the President acknowledged in his comments yesterday, immigrants and their families benefit our nation economically, culturally, and socially," said Bishop Wenski. "As the President's plan also recognizes, legal status for immigrants contributes to our national security."
He said standards for immigration reform outlined by the bishops last January would guide their evaluation of the proposal as it evolves in congressional deliberations.
Full text of Bishop Wenski's statement:
Statement of Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration
January 8, 2004
On behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, I welcome President Bush's decision to engage the important issue of immigration once again by issuing his January 7, 2004 proposal on immigration reform. I also commend the President for his plans to renew bilateral migration talks with the government of Mexico on this important topic. It is significant that the President recognizes that our immigration system is broken and is in need of reform. However, it is critical that we recognize the importance of immigration reform that is comprehensive and that will truly address our current immigration crisis. In this regard, we have serious concerns about the scope and type of reform the President has proposed.
We commend the President's comments in which he recognizes the importance of worker protections. In addition, we welcome the President's call for an increase in the number of available "green cards." These represent the beginnings of needed reforms.
While the issuance of a proposal is an important first step in a long overdue reform of our immigration system, this particular proposal does not provide a solution to the serious problems we experience as the result of continuing undocumented migration and an immigration system that is broken. What is needed to respond to these problems is truly comprehensive immigration reform that will provide opportunities for legalization for the undocumented currently living in the united States, temporary worker programs with full worker protections and a path to permanency, as well as a reform of our family immigration system that will allow immigrant families to reunited in a timely fashion. Any legislative proposals that might evolve will be measured by the Bishops on the basis of the principles for immigration reform enunciated in their pastoral letter of January 2003, Stranger No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope.
As the President acknowledged in his comments yesterday, immigrants and their families benefit our nation economically, culturally, and socially. As the President's plan also recognizes, legal status for immigrants contributes to our national security. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to fashion an immigration system that meets all of the goals of comprehensive immigration reform.