McKenzie Umin

Immigration is a sensitive issue in our time, both politically and emotionally Many Americans are concerned that native born citizens have lost jobs to immigrants and that undocumented immigrants are costing taxpayers money Other Americans believe that immigrants provide needed labor, doing jobs that native born people don’t want to do MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

It is often difficult to determine whether a person is a migrant or an immigrant Sometimes people move to another country, usually because of war or poverty, without intending to settle there permanently We would technically call these people migrants MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

Sometimes the situation in their homeland changes and they can return But often there is no change and they remain in their new country for many years or even the rest of their lives Are they then migrants or immigrants? The terms are often used interchangeable because of these circumstances MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

Migration & immigration have been an integral part of salvation history In the Old Testament, God called Abraham and Sarah to leave their homeland and immigrate to the land he led them to (Genesis 12:1) In turn, they offered gracious hospitality to strangers traveling through their land (Genesis 18:1-8) Later, Jacob an his children migrated to Egypt to survive a drought (47:1-6) Many Israelites became migrants following the destruction of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING ON MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

In the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph migrated to Egypt to escape King Herod’s massacre of infant boys (Matthew 2:13-15) They stayed as migrants until Herod’s death CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING ON MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

In Jesus’ Parable of the Last Judgment, he tells us to welcome the stranger, and also speaks indirectly to caring for migrants and refugees. His commandment is to make disciples of all nations and the missionary activity of the early Church make it clear that God’s plan of salvation will unite people of all races into one family of God CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING ON MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

The Church has recognized that migration and immigration are basic human rights, especially when injustice and violence make it difficult or even impossible for families and individuals to procure their basic rights On the other hand, to minimize the need for people to leave their homes, the church also calls for the elimination of the root causes of such migration Poverty, injustice, lack of religious freedom, and war Pope John Paul II notes that ultimately the elimination of global poverty and injustice is the solution to the problem of illegal immigration CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING ON MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

The US bishops have made a number of recommendations to provide a moral response to the issue of illegal aliens in the United States 1.Immigration laws should be reformed to make it possible for families to live together – laws should not make spouses, parents, or children wait for years to join their loved ones who are legal residents 2.The US government should provide greater opportunity for immigrants to legally enter the country in order to work – the US economy depends on immigrants who work in jobs that are difficult to fill with native born citizens – by issuing more work visas, the US would diminish illegal border crossings and reduce the use of corrupt smugglers ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

The dignity and rights of immigrants who are caught trying to enter the United States illegally must be protected Border enforcement should not push them to cross at locations where their lives are endangered Migrants who are caught must be treated humanely, and their legal rights must be respected Special care must be given to minors who are caught crossing alone, because of their vulnerability ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

The US and Mexican bishops in their letter “Strangers No Longer” identified the following five social justice principles that guide the catholic perspective on migration and immigration issues 1.People have the right to find opportunities in their homeland 2.People have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families 3.Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders 4.Migrants and refugees should be afforded protection 5.The human rights and the human dignity of undocumented migrants should be respected. SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES ON MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION