USCCB Chairman Commends Senate For Passage Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON—Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, commended, June28, the U.S. Senate for passage of comprehensive immigration reformlegislation. The U.S. Senate passed S. 744, the Border Security, EconomicCompetitiveness, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, by a vote of68-32.

Heurged the House of Representatives to immediately consider bi-partisancomprehensive immigration reform.

"Icommend the U.S. Senate on the vote and for the bi-partisan cooperationdisplayed during the legislative process," Archbishop Gomez said."I urge the House of Representatives tofollow the U.S. Senate's lead and pass a comprehensive reform bill as soon aspossible."

ArchbishopGomez stated that while the USCCB Committee on Migration disagrees withelements of the bill, they see the legislation as an overall improvement uponthe status quo.

"Thestatus quo of our current system causes much suffering among immigrants andtheir families and must end," Archbishop Gomez said."The Senate legislation would allowimmigrants and their families to come out of the shadows and into the light andwould protect families from separation."

ArchbishopGomez said that the USCCB will continue to seek improvements in the Senatelegislation and in any legislation considered by the U.S. House of Representatives,including making the path to citizenship for undocumented persons moreaccessible and achievable.

"Ourwork is not finished," Archbishop Gomez said. "The Church will continue tofight for the rights of migrants, both during the current debate and into thefuture."

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Keywords:migrants, immigrants, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Committee onMigration, Congress, Archbishop José Gomez, immigration reform, S. 744, Border Security Economic Competitiveness and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013

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