Sisters of Mercy Take Immigration
Concerns to Capitol Hill
Call for focus on root causes of immigration,
not criminalizing those who seek opportunity (Washington,
DC) [05/04/06] -- Along with several other Catholic leaders, including
the US Bishops, The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, today called
on Congress to pass compassionate immigration reform legislation
during a press conference at the Russell Senate Office Building
in Washington, DC.
Presidents of the 25 regional communities of the Sisters of Mercy
were joined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; the Catholic
Alliance for the Common Good; and CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration
Center) in their plea for humane immigration reform that addresses
the factors underlying cross-border migration.
“We call on our elected officials to pass humane and just
immigration legislation that will rightly open the path for immigrant
men, women and children to be full and active participants in our
country’s future,” said Sister Mary Waskowiak, RSM,
President of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
“Use your influence and your vote to change economic and trade
policies that force people to leave their countries to seek the
basic needs for survival.”
Most Reverend Francisco González, SF, Auxiliary Bishop of
Washington, DC, offered support to the Mercy effort and asked that
reforms include “an earned legalization for the undocumented
population in our country; a temporary worker program that protects
the rights of U.S. and foreign-born laborers; reductions in family
reunification backlogs, and restoration of due process protections
for immigrants.”
The sisters spoke from their experience working with immigrant
persons. Sister Gaye Moorhead, RSM, President of the Sisters of
Mercy Rochester Regional Community recounted her experience as an
attorney representing undocumented immigrants in El Paso, Texas,
while advocating for passage of the Development, Relief, and Education
for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. She told the story of Enrique, an
orphan whose aunt brought him to the U.S. as an eight-year-old following
his mother’s death from cancer, and who was deported to Mexico
two days after his high school graduation. She asked, “What
possible public interest is served by deporting children who have
come here before the age of 16, not on their own volition, but with
their parents; who have lived here at least five years, are of good
moral character, and have or are getting a high school diploma or
GED?”
Other speakers were Sister Sheila Browne, RSM, President, Sisters
of Mercy of the Americas – Auburn Regional Community and Sister
Simone Campbell, SSS, National Coordinator, NETWORK.
Following the press conference, Presidents of the 25 regional communities
of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas delivered to Senators letters
requesting humane reform of the United States immigration system
to respect the rights of all persons while responding to values
of family unity and community life.
The entire Mercy Community observed a day of prayer
and fasting for immigration reform on May 4. Mercy sisters and associates
also called their Senators last week to advocate for compassionate
U.S. immigration policy.
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10th Call in Day Planned Photo: (l-r):
Sr. Gaye Moorhead, RSM, (Rochester)
Sr. Sheila Browne, RSM, (Auburn) Sr. Mary Waskowiak, RSM, President,
Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Most Reverend Francisco
González, S.F., Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, DC, Sr. Simone
Campbell, SSS, National Coordinator, NETWORK, Sr. Anne Curtis, RSM,
Institute Leadership Team member, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas |