US Bishops applaud passage of Immigration Reform Bill

Archbishop José H Gomez

Archbishop José H Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, has applauded approval by a Senate Committee of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, legislation which would reform the nation's immigration system.

"This is an important step in the legislative process," he said on 22 May, the day after the committee vote. "I applaud Chairman Patrick Leahy and the committee members for their efforts and strong bipartisan cooperation," said Archbishop Gomez. The Senate panel considered over 150 amendments during the process.

Archbishop Gomez said that the bill should be taken up by the full Senate as soon as possible, and that amendments to improve upon the legislation should be adopted. In his remarks, he specifically mentioned the need for improvements to the path to citizenship and the family immigration provisions in the legislation.

"The path to citizenship should be widened, so that the maximum number of persons can access it and come out of the shadows," he said. "To leave a large population behind would defeat the purpose of the bill, which is to bring persons into the light so they can become full members of our communities." The USCCB has been working to shorten the amount of time an individual must wait to apply for permanent residency, to move forward the cut-off date for eligibility, and to ease income and work requirements.

Archbishop Gomez also expressed concern over cuts to the family-based immigration system, a hallmark of the nation's immigration laws for decades.

"We must not abandon our focus on families, which are the backbone of our society," he said. "Family unity, based on the union of a husband and a wife and their children, must remain the cornerstone of our nation's immigration system."

Archbishop Gomez welcomed several amendments added to the legislation helping immigrant children. He also commended the Senators for turning back efforts to strike provisions assisting asylum-seekers and refugees.

It is expected that the full US Senate will consider the legislation in June.

Source: USCCB