THE TABLET JANUARY 07, 2006

Justice for Immigrants

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Church in the United States begins the celebration of National Migration Week tomorrow (Jan. 8). In fact, it is the 25^th anniversary of this observance. At the same time, Pope Benedict XVI has issued his message for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, which is celebrating its 92^nd anniversary as a day set aside by the Holy See, dating from the period of the great migration, to pray for immigrants and refugees. The coincidence of these celebrations gives me an opportunity to speak on a topic close to my heart.

As we look at our world today, migration has become an issue discussed in the four corners of the earth. My recent service as a commissioner for the Global Commission on International Migration has taught me that the challenges presented by migration are indeed international; they are very similar all over the globe. The problems we face in regard to migration---the search for work, the entry of those without legal status, the many other reasons why people migrate, either willingly or because they are forced---present tremendous challenges.

The Global Commission presented its final report in October to the U.N. General Secretary. It is scheduled to be discussed by what is known as a high-level dialogue among nations this coming September. In the meantime, the commission's work, formally ended, now takes on the role of promoting the report to the various nations of the world because it will be their responsibility to discuss its contents, which offer six "Principles for Action" and over 30 related recommendations for addressing the issues of migration in a holistic way.

My service on this commission, although it involved much traveling and commitment of time, was well worth it as I serve in this Diocese of Immigrants. The other commission members marveled at the complexity and diversity of the immigrants who make up our Diocese. We can offer insights on almost any nation in the world, because we have some people from these countries who live in our Diocese.

The theme of the Holy Father's message for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees is a simple one: "Migration, A Sign of the Times." He takes his cue from the Second Vatican Council, which used that phrase to remind the Church that it must recognize the issues in the world in which the Church exists. The Holy Father speaks about the problems of forced migration, and especially the trafficking of human beings, which has become an international problem.

Trafficking involves men and women, and sometimes children, who are brought from one country to another in usually forced conditions, either to work in indentured situations, or even to be involved in the sex industry. The nations of the world are trying to face this problem, and yet it is difficult to eliminate. Our own Diocese, through Catholic Charities, has a program where we offer resettlement and refuge for women and children who have been rescued from these terrible situations.

The National Migration Week celebration, entitled "Journey to Justice," centers on the national campaign of the U.S. Bishops who are seeking justice for immigrants. It offers an opportunity for the whole Church to educate itself regarding the true issues of migration. Unfortunately, some in the media sometimes aid and abet those who are racist, or certainly those who fear strangers, in distorting facts about immigrants, especially those who have entered this country without legal status. There are many reasons for the presence of immigrants among us, the main one being that our economy demands labor and the labor can only be performed by people who are willing to do it. Much of the irregular migration in our country has its basis in the demand for labor, which cannot be fulfilled in other ways.

The Bishops' Campaign for Immigrant Justice has a wonderful Web site, www.justiceforimmigrants.org, that is worth investigating, and is also available in Spanish. It has updated information regarding the latest legislative proposals and even sample letters that can be sent to legislators expressing your opinion regarding these laws. It all can be done automatically by using the Web site. I ask those who can, to follow this campaign. Recently, our Diocese had a meeting for pastors, where Msgr. Ronald Marino, Vicar for Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates, explained the campaign. It is my hope that our parishes can respond as good advocates in this important social and moral issue.

The National Migration Week "Journey to Justice" observance includes a simple prayer, which follows. The journey for justice certainly is an exercise in putting out into the deep. Join me as advocates, but most of all as pray-ers, seeking justice for those most marginalized in our society.