MRS > Migration Policy and Public Affair Office > Final Immigration Package of the 106th Congress
Statement of Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio
Bishop of Camden
Chairman, NCCB Committee on Migration
December 15, 2000
During the 106th Congress, the U.S. Catholic bishops have strongly supported enactment of the immigration provisions contained in the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act (LIFA). It is our view that the important proposals contained in LIFA---Central American parity, an update of the registry date in U.S. immigration law, and the restoration of Section 245 (i)--represent a reasonable immigration package which preserves unity among immigrant families and provides a measure of justice to immigrants who have fled civil strife in their countries and contributed to their local communities.
We are heartened that the Administration and Congressional leaders have come to an agreement which will benefit some number of potential LIFA beneficiaries, including class action members of the "late amnesty" classes and their immediate relatives and those who will benefit from a limited restoration of Section 245 (i). We are dismayed, however, that Central American and Haitian nationals who deserve an opportunity for permanent residence were left out of the agreement altogether. We find their cases, and their need for justice, compelling.
We also are disappointed that no progress was made on restoring procedural due process protections to immigrants adversely impacted by the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) or on the restoration of basic public benefits to legal immigrants.
We thank the Administration and those in Congress who supported the LIFA proposal and worked hard for its enactment. Although the final agreement falls well short of the goals of LIFA, in our view it represents positive movement toward fashioning a more comprehensive solution to these important issues during the 107th Congress. At this time, we reaffirm our commitment to work with the new Congress and new Administration in the year ahead to win enactment of all provisions contained in LIFA as well as other vital immigration reforms.