Immigrant Welcoming Communities Statement
Ten communities of Catholic Sisters of the Upper Mississippi River Valley join together to call upon President Obama and Congress to work together to enact comprehensive immigration reform.
We make this call in affirmation of our Catholic tradition that holds sacred the dignity of each person. We also recognize our immigrant history in a nation established by the rich contributions of generations of immigrants and migrants.
Today, we are witnessing the violation of human rights under our current immigration policies, particularly in the separation of families due to unjust deportations, and in the exploitation of immigrant workers. We are deeply grieved by the violence done to families through immigration raids and unjust detentions. We cannot in good conscience ignore such suffering and injustice.
Failure on the part of the federal government to reform the present unworkable system has resulted in states passing legislation that is punitive and harmful to human rights AND IS based upon inaccurate information and assumptions.
We understand that enforcement of law is part of any immigration policy. However, the present policy of involving state and local law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration law, such as in the Secure Communities program, has resulted in abuses and the undermining of the trust between immigrant communities and the law enforcement agencies which is necessary to ensure public safety.
Therefore, we declare ourselves “Immigrant Welcoming Communities.” We do this because we know that true security lies in building relationships and respecting human rights. We invite other communities and people of faith to join us in becoming Immigrant Welcoming Communities through prayer, reflection, education and action.
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Sponsored by:
Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa
Sisters of the Humility of Mary of Davenport, Iowa
Sisters of the Presentation of Dubuque, Iowa
Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton, Iowa
Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa
Sisters of St. Benedict, Rock Island, Illinois
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Sisters of the Visitation, Dubuque, Iowa
Sisters of Mercy, West Midwest Community, Omaha, Nebraska