Immigration


"We stress that all persons, regardless of migratory status, are rights holders whose protection is a moral imperative. The integrity of the family and the rights of children and spouses of migrants merit prominent consideration."
~~ Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd 2018 Position Papers

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To read or print the entire Migration Position Paper, click here.  To read or print the Congregation's complete series of Position Papers, click here.

For more background on on the Good Shepherd 2018 Position Papers and to access them in Spanish, French or English, visit the Congregation's site.
On this page, you will find information on:
  •  Immigration
  •  Refugees
  • Actions by the Trump Administration and NAC's Responses

Articles and Statements
BORDER FUNDING
"Both for national security and for humanitarian reasons, the proposed $21 billion expenditure for the initial construction of the wall could be better spent in addressing the root causes of immigration: poverty, lack of opportunity and conflict.  Building a wall will not provide protection. What will provide protection is focusing on the basic human needs of people in our country and our neighbors in the areas of education, health care, and housing."
~ Larry Couch
RAISE ACT
"Immigrants have not only provided brain power in the Silicon Valley, they also harvest our crops, construct our buildings, prepare our food, and provide hospitality services. When we deny entry [the RAISE Act] to immigrants at all skill levels, we are limiting our potential as a nation.
 
​"Somehow we have forgotten that immigrants are people who may have needs but they also have gifts to offer.  When we think of immigrants as commodities we lose sight of their humanity and run the risk of losing our own humanity."
~ Larry Couch

Prayers and Action for Use
Advent to Epiphany 

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The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of which NAC is a member, has put together prayers for use throughout the upcoming holy season, Advent through Epiphany.

​This six part series, “Ignite the Light,” links scripture readings to various asylum concerns and includes stories, reflections, and suggested action.

TPS Toolkits

You can help save the lives of 330,000 people in the U.S. who would otherwise be subjected to disease, violence, starvation, the aftermath of natural disasters, and other life-threatening conditions. If enough of us act, we can move the government to not deport U.S. residents who are TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders. 

Below are two toolkits (one on 5 quick actions to take right now and one that goes into great detail).  In addition, here is a link to free graphics.

ICE Raids - Know Your Rights

Immigrants - know your rights. Call 202-335-1183 for trained volunteers.

Resources

Refugees & Migrants

The National Advocacy Center remains committed to working for just and comprehensive immigration reform
to better the lives of those seeking refuge or opportunities in our nation. 
In a globalized world, people cross borders, temporarily or permanently, for many reasons. Where populations are mired in conditions of poverty, where environmental conditions are not sustainable, or where conflict immerses civilian population in constant violence or virtual dictatorship, people move for both freedom and survival, seeking better social and economic opportunities.
 
Movement across borders is a perilous journey for those who must separate from families, who cannot acquire legal documents, have documents taken from them, cannot communicate in a new language, or lack education and employment skills. Their situation leaves them vulnerable to being exploited by traffickers and smugglers, even by legally recognized recruiters. Women are increasingly among the vulnerable populations of people migrating.

NAC is a core member of the Justice for Immigrants Campaign and actively participates in developing strategy, sponsoring Congressional briefings, scheduling appointments with legislative staff, and making legislative visits. 
 
NAC is also a member of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC), participating with members in other faith traditions to lobby for compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform, the end of family detention, and address root causes of migration. NAC joins with IIC in legislative visits and in meetings with senior White House staff. ​​
"Catch and Release" Unpacked
Learn the facts about the immigration term "Catch and Release" and why the "zero tolerance" policy is a concern to the Catholic Church here.
Heartbreak in Syria
"... the richest, most beautiful places in Homs... five floors and balconies.  Trees lined the streets.  ... When you see this empty, all this damage, my heart is broken."
RGS Sister  Monique Tarabeh interviewed by NCR's Global Sisters Report on her visit to Syria.
Read full story here.

The Trump Administration and
​2019  Refugee Admissions into the U.S.

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In 2018, NAC responded when the Trump Administration prepared to reduce the admission limits for the world’s refugees.

“Reopen our doors, Mr. President, to the world’s refugees. We are a welcoming people whose collective heart is not content as others suffer,” said NAC Director Larry Couch.

“This year’s limit of allowing just 50,000 refugees into the country already is a record low and is such a gross disparity to the TWENTY TWO MILLION REFUGEES WORLDWIDE,” said Couch.  “This paltry number is in direct contrast to the attitudes and beliefs of most Americans.  Where is this Administration’s empathy and compassion?”

Despite the best efforts of many people of goodwill, the 2018 limit was set at an all-time low of 45,000 refugees.  

In September 2018, President Trump lowered the refugee admissions for the coming fiscal year (FY19) to a record low plan of 30,000. 

Please join us as we urge the Administration to increase the number for 2019.  And tell Congress to intervene with the Administration and resettle at least 75,000 refugees in 2019.

Seeking Safe, Orderly & Regular Migration

Actions by Trump Administration

Joint Letter by Faith Organizations Against Militarization of the Border
Eighty prominent faith-based organizations and congregations urge members of Congress to oppose any efforts to build a wall or other barrier across the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Our faith communities have ministries and relationships deeply rooted in border communities. We have witnessed how current border enforcement policies have torn families and communities apart, contributed to the deaths of thousands of migrants, harmed wildlife and border ecosystems, and violated the rights and humanity of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike. As communities of faith, we believe that government spending should reflect our values and advance the common good. Funding for further border militarization falls far short of these values."

Read our letter.
Now join the cause.
Don’t Criminalize Work of the Sisters. Don’t Pass Davis-Oliver Act.
"Faith communities from around the country have been standing strong for several years against the ill-conceived legislation known as the Davis-Oliver Act," says Larry Couch in a statement to Members of the House of Representatives.
 
"The Davis-Oliver Act would harm community safety, expand detention of immigrants, encourage racial profiling, federalize local police and actually criminalize some of the humanitarian works of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd."

Read our statement.
Now join the cause.
Joint Letter by Catholic Organizations
The signers wrote to Secretary Kelly that they are "deeply troubled by the pattern of arrests, detentions and deportations of undocumented immigrants across the nation – including violating the previous policy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not to conduct enforcement actions at or near 'sensitive locations,' including churches and their ministries to the poor and vulnerable. ...

"We ask you now to reconsider your recent words and actions. We believe they fan fear and contribute to a pattern of discrimination, hatred, violence and abuse against undocumented immigrants and refugees, separating families, and causing untold suffering of men, women and children.

Read our letter.
Now join the cause.
Good Shepherd Letter to President Trump Opposing Refugee Ban & Border Wall
"In our ever evolving, interconnected world, the exclusion of people has no place. Rather this new consciousness seeks and desires the common good of all beyond borders" states the letter to President Trump from Sisters of the Good Shepherd Circle of Provincials of North America and the Director of the National Advocacy Center.

Read our letter.
Now join the cause.

Pass the DREAM Act - America is Built by Dreamers

NAC thanks Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois for working together across the aisle to bring back this bill.  We pledge to work with them and others to help get this legislation passed into law and hope that both parties see the bipartisan nature of these children and mutually support passage.

America was built by dreamers and continues to be built by dreamers. Hope, belief, persistence and perseverance are in our DNA.

Read our letter to Congress urging passage of a clean DREAM Act.

Read our statement welcoming the bill's reintroduction.

Read our response to President Trump's attempt to use the Dreamers as pawns in his negotiations for extreme immigration and border control policies.
 DACA is Withdrawn - Young Lives in Limbo
"Mr. President, we regret that you have betrayed the hopes and aspirations of the DACA youth.  They deserved better."

Read our statement opposing the decision.