Justice for Immigrants

1. Justice for Immigrants “Our common dignity as human beings calls us to respect the alien among us, regardless of their status or social position. A preferential love for the poor and disenfranchised is a sure sign of one’s Christian identity.” -Most Rev. Robert N. Lynch

3. “IN THE CHURCH, NO ONE IS A STRANGER, AND THE CHURCH IS NOT FOREIGN TO ANYONE, ANYWHERE” -Pope John Paul IIWorld Migration Day 1995

4. This is the first (commandment) ... you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mk 12:30-31)

5. Why do people migrate? • People migrate for many reasons: • Persecution • Basic Human Needs • Natural Disasters • Political Unrest • Economic Improvement

6. Immigration in the Bible… • Abraham and Sarah • Joseph, son of Jacob • Moses • The Holy Family Source: 29

7. Source: 25

8. Source: 25

9. Dispelling some myths…

10. Myth: Immigrants take American Jobs Picture Source: 7, 4

11. Facts • The U.S. Camber of Commerce said, “our economy would collapse,” without migrant workers20 • 17% of undocumented workers in leisure/ hospitality- 8% native-born • 20% of undocumented in construction- 7% native-born • 31% of undocumented in service industry- 16% native-born 39 • 13 % of Americans are without a high school diploma.38 Source: 16, 20, 38, 39

12. Myth: Immigrants don’t pay taxes Picture Source: 7

13. Fact • Immigrants pay sales, real estate, gasoline, etc. taxes • Unauthorized immigrants provide a net gain of $7 billion to the Social Security system each year. 18 • >$90 billion in taxes paid by immigrants. 20 • “the average immigrant pays nearly $1,800 more in taxes than he or she costs in benefits.” 33 Source: 18, 20, 33

14. Myth: Tighter border control will keep people from crossing illegally. Picture Source: 7

15. Facts • 1986 -2008 the Border Patrol’s budget increased over 5,600 percent. • 1986-2008 the undocumented immigrant population tripled to at least 12 million. 29 • Immigrants now taking alternate routes and more dangerous measures to enter the country. 31 Source: 29, 31

16. Myth: Immigrants are overrunning our population. Picture Source: 7

17. Facts • In 2008, estimated US population= 304,000,000 • In 2008, estimated foreign-born population = 38 million (12.5%)19 • Foreign-born population in 1910 = 15% 20 • Undocumented population= 12 million10 • Undocumented workers = 5% of U.S. workforce. 20 • There are less US border apprehensions today than in 1973. 36 Source: 20, 19, 10, 27, 36

19. Myth: The legalization of undocumented immigrants will deteriorate work conditions for all Americans. Picture Source: 7

20. Facts • Wages suffer when part of the workforce has no legal status. 6 • Workers experience more violations to their rights. 6 • Communities can flourish. 31 • “…people who have been here for a long time and put down roots here have to have some mechanism over time to get out of the shadows, because if they stay in the shadows, in the underground economy, then they are oftentimes pitted against American workers. Since they can’t join a union, they can’t complain about minimum wages, etc., they end up being abused, and that depresses the wages of everybody, all Americans.” Source: 31, 6

21. We don’t welcome people because they’re Catholic. We should welcome people because we’re Catholic. What does the Church teach?

22. According to Catholic Teachings… • It is an intrinsic, God-given right to migrate. • Protect family • Provide for family • Escape Persecution • Right to basic necessities 29 • Comes with accountability for all. • Pope John XXIII, in Pacem in Terris, stressed the obligation of nations to accommodate migration flows. For more powerful nations, a stronger obligation exists. 31 Source: 31, 29

23. What do faith leaders think? In 2003, the Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the US published Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope A Pastoral Letter Concerning Migration For World Migration Day 2009, Pope Benedict XVI urged us “to live brotherly love to the full without making any kind of distinction and without discrimination, in the conviction that any one who needs us and whom we can help is our neighbor” 1 Source: 31, 1

24. Strangers No Longer From the Bishops’ conference, Scripture, and Catholic Social Teachings, 5 principles emerged: • Persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland. • Persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families. • Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders. • Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection. • The human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected. Source: 31

25. So what now?

26. Suggestions for Action • Challenge legislators to advance Comprehensive Immigration Reform. • Recognize and respect cultural differences. • Donate to or volunteer with a Farmworker ministry in your area . • Plan multicultural liturgies and services. • Insert quotes on migration in your parish bulletin. • Establish a parish “Twinning” relationship • Support local family businesses and markets. • Ensure that sacramental preparation is available to migrants. Source: 28

28. Resources • www.justiceforimmigrants.org • www.justiciaparalosinmigrantes.org • www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty • www.immigrationforum.org • www.cirnow.org