wfn.org | [ENS] Episcopal Church leaders endorse comprehensive immigration

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Episcopal Church leaders endorse comprehensive immigration reform
legislation

ENS 101805-1

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church USA was one of 135
signatories from a broad spectrum of religious groups urging Congress
to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation which provides
a legal, orderly pathway for workers to come to the United States to
fill jobs not being filled by U.S. workers.  Additionally, the statement
calls for extending permanent status and eventual citizenship to those
now working in the U.S.  if they can demonstrate that they are making a
necessary contribution to the work force.  The statement also asks that
those coming to the U.S. as legal workers have the opportunity to bring
close family members with them and have their rights protected once here.

The church's endorsement of the statement reflects a resolution passed by
the Executive Council of the Church in June 2005 during their meeting in
Louisville, Kentucky.  There the council embraced a set of principles
which parallel the key features of legislation called for by the
interfaith group.

Richard Parkins, director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, who
participated in the drafting of the interfaith statement and provided
staff support for the council's resolution, praised the statement as
one which "speaks to the urgency of repairing our failed immigration
system by adopting a balanced, comprehensive approach to reform...By not
embracing an enforcement-only approach, the statement recognizes that
the U.S. needs workers; and if they can enter legally with requisite
safeguards, we will have made our immigration system both more humane
and realistic."

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Arlen Specter,
is beginning hearings on immigration legislation.  Draft legislation
introduced by Senators McCain and Kennedy, the Secure America and
Immigration Reform Act, reflects the principles embodied in the interfaith
statement as well as the church's resolution.

Parkins said that "advocacy on behalf of this bill or one similar to it
should be a priority as we have a chance in the coming months to make
our immigration system more practical and just."  Parkins noted that
the"bipartisan support and  the cross section of backers in both houses
of Congress that the bill has gives it  a chance of moving forward.
However, a preoccupation with security and enforcement will probably
add to the resistance that the legislation will encounter."

With assistance from the Church's Office of Government Relations, efforts
will be made to encourage Episcopal members of Congress to endorse a
version of immigration reform consistent with the principles which the
church has adopted.

A copy of the "Interfaith Statement in Support of Comprehensive
Immigration Reform" can be found on the Institute on Religion and Public
Policy's website at www.religionandpolicy.org.

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