Catholic Bishops Gather in SD to Call for Immigration Reform

As the debate over a landmark immigration bill enters a crucial phase this week, nearly one dozen members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights to call for reform.

They said Catholic prayer and service groups have been helping immigrants with English classes, job training and medical aid for years. While senate leaders weigh a comprehensive immigration bill, they don't want politics to get in the way of human values.

“Families are separated, migrant workers are exploited, and our fellow human beings die in the desert,” said Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese.

“We are pushing hard for a path to citizenship that will really help the immigrant community become a more productive part of California and the United States,” added Bishop Jaime Soto of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento.

The bishops said the current senate bill has many elements they are looking for, such as the eligibility to qualify for health care benefits and more worker visas.

Ana Nunez shared her experience being brought to the country illegally at five-years-old.

“This is the country that I know as a home, and I'm working on my career path, and I want to fully participate in it,” Nunez said.

The bishops said immigrants in her situation should not have to suffer. Instead, they should be allowed to become legalized and contribute to our economic workforce.

But those who oppose immigration reform said it would wrong to reward those who have broken the law.

“If they're illegal and they've been here for a while and they're not fully indoctrinated into our system, then it's an unfair advantage,” Richard Eckhouse said.

“Why let undocumented aliens in when, for years, they've had to go the legal way?” Louise Cates asked.

Opponents see the bishop’s stance as misplaced sympathy. But with their support, those who have long feared that immigration reform will not pass have a renewed sense of faith.

“All we're trying to do is survive, and I think that any that family, mother or father would do the same,” Nunez said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is working with other faith based institutions to get their support for immigration reform.

Last year, Catholic charities provided services to 400,000 immigrants.