Opening Prayer Matthew (2:1-23) Matthew (2:1-23) Flight to Egypt Flight to Egypt

Illegal Immigration & Common Good

The Problem The Catholic Church does not condone the unlawfulness of illegally crossing the border. The Catholic Church does not condone the unlawfulness of illegally crossing the border. The Catholic Church cares about the marginalization of an entire group of people, their dignity as God’s creation and the destruction of their families. The Catholic Church cares about the marginalization of an entire group of people, their dignity as God’s creation and the destruction of their families.

Background Children of Illegal Immigrants are automatically full citizens of the United States (14 th Amendment) Children of Illegal Immigrants are automatically full citizens of the United States (14 th Amendment) This leads to mixed families: children that are U.S. Citizens with parents that are illegal aliens This leads to mixed families: children that are U.S. Citizens with parents that are illegal aliens

Think about this If we were immigrants why would we not emigrate to the United States? If we were immigrants why would we not emigrate to the United States? –Opportunities for myself and children –Highly subsidized Health Care –Citizenship for children –Businesses actively trying to get my help –Ability to send money back to my family

Workplace Raids When you read about workplace raids by ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement), think about the number of families affected When you read about workplace raids by ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement), think about the number of families affected US Citizens are also rounded up in these raids. How many of us can prove we are US Citizens right now? US Citizens are also rounded up in these raids. How many of us can prove we are US Citizens right now?

Other Immigration Issues The Catholic Church is concerned by: The Catholic Church is concerned by: –Deaths along the US-Mexico border –Growth of human smuggling rings –Disconnect between US labor needs, trade policies, and immigration admission levels –Decades-long delays in some family reunification categories.

What we can do? Get Educated on the Issues Get Educated on the Issues Challenge ourselves to love my neighbor; regardless of their form Challenge ourselves to love my neighbor; regardless of their form Civil Disobedience Civil Disobedience –Cardinal Roger Mahony –Pope Benedict (Deus Caritas Est – “God Is Love”) Advocacy Advocacy

Backup Slides

Catholic Church Stance The Catholic Church in the United States does not support open borders, illegal immigration, or an “amnesty” that would grant legal status to all unauthorized immigrants. The Catholic Church in the United States does not support open borders, illegal immigration, or an “amnesty” that would grant legal status to all unauthorized immigrants. It believes nations have a legitimate responsibility to promote the common good by denying admission to certain migrants and by regulating the flow of all those who are seeking to enter. It believes nations have a legitimate responsibility to promote the common good by denying admission to certain migrants and by regulating the flow of all those who are seeking to enter. The current US immigration system is badly in need of reform. The current US immigration system is badly in need of reform.

Catholic Church Stance The Catholic Church does not believe that criminal prosecution and deportation of unauthorized immigrants offer a viable approach to the problem. The Catholic Church does not believe that criminal prosecution and deportation of unauthorized immigrants offer a viable approach to the problem. Doing nothing, the church believes, would facilitate the growth of a population of second-class noncitizens with limited rights, few prospects, or security. Doing nothing, the church believes, would facilitate the growth of a population of second-class noncitizens with limited rights, few prospects, or security. "It is against the common good and unacceptable to have a double society, one visible with rights and one invisible without rights — a voiceless underground of undocumented persons." - US Bishops 1986 "It is against the common good and unacceptable to have a double society, one visible with rights and one invisible without rights — a voiceless underground of undocumented persons." - US Bishops 1986