Welcoming the Immigrant & Refugee
Comprehensive federal immigration reform should protect the dignity of persons regardless of legal status while recognizing national sovereignty.
Immigration reform should ensure both an orderly and welcoming process for immigrants and refugees. The United States should uphold the human rights of all citizens and non-citizens alike and should establish a policy that allows immigrants and refugees to become permanent legal residents, including an earned legalization program, a temporary worker program with appropriate worker protections, and reductions in waiting times in family based immigration categories. Immigrants and refugees should not be denied access to basic human services. Immigrants should be protected from unfair labor practices and other human rights abuses. English language education should be available to newly arrived immigrants and refugees.
Comprehensive immigration reform requires a national policy that is uniform in all states and political jurisdictions.
It is the responsibility of the federal government to enforce immigration policy. Requiring local law enforcement agencies to enforce complicated national immigration law discourages the reporting of crimes and endangers the entire community. Laws that deny housing to non-citizens not only jeopardize their health and safety, but also can create a homeless or transient population that unduly burdens local communities.
Government should not interfere with the pastoral care provided by churches to immigrants and refugees.
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of immigrants and refugees. The MCC opposes governmental intrusion or sanctions that impede this ministry.
Due process requirements should apply to all criminal defendants regardless of citizenship.
Non-citizen criminal defendants should be informed of any detrimental impact of a guilty plea or conviction on their citizenship or residency status that may lead to deportation. Federal policy should afford basic due process rights for non-citizens, including immediate access to an attorney, adequate time for defense, and a prompt hearing.
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