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Washington, D.C. The upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump has raised questions about the future of immigration reform, but the nations Catholic bishops remain hopeful.

We also find it important that we engage the present incoming administration, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, who chairs the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, said Jan. 12. We think it is highly important that we as bishops make known what is taking place in our country and how to address those possibilities.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the U.S. bishops conference president, even voiced confidence.

I actually think this may be a very good time to pursue all the goals that weve had all along, DiNardo said. This is a new moment, with a new Congress, a new administration. And therefore we should up our expectations and move very carefully, but clearly, on comprehensive immigration reform.

Leading U.S. bishops and bishops conference officials spoke with reporters Jan. 12 to mark National Migration Week, a nearly 50-year-old celebration that encourages the Church to reflect on the situations facing immigrants, refugees, children, and victims of human trafficking.

President-elect Trump, who takes office next week, campaigned on several strong anti-immigration policies, including talk of deportation, strict enforcement of immigration law and a famous promise to build a wall on the Mexico border and make Mexico pay for it.

Vasquez said that the rhetoric of wall-building is not the place where wed want to start our conversation on immigration.

He said the bishops advocated humane policy and laws that take into consideration the need to keep families together and to help those who have come to the U.S. at a young age.

DiNardo said the bishops concerns focus on immigration reform.

As of right now, we havent (discussed) too much on the wall situation, he said, voicing greater concern for the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, President Barack Obamas executive action which allowed millions of immigrants who met certain standards to stay in the U.S. The program especially benefitted those who had arrived in the U.S. without documentation while being under age 18.

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president of the bishops conference, said the conference is trying to have a conversation with Trumps transition team.

Obviously we continue to help our elected officials to understand the issue, he said, noting there are many challenges regarding immigration.

But I hope that we are going to make progress this year, he continued. Immigration reform is about people. Its not about politics, its about fathers and mothers and children and brothers and sisters.

Ashley Feasely, policy director of the U.S. bishops Migration and Refugee Services, also reflected on upcoming priorities.

There are many still in Congress who believe that immigration reform is a possibility, she said. And I think there are individuals in the incoming White House who are interested in seeing reform. I think its important that we continue to engage at the state and local level, with Congress, and the new administration to show the need to reform our broken system.

For Vasquez, National Migration Week is a chance to highlight Catholics mission to welcome newcomers.

In Matthew 25, Jesus specifically says, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, he said. Those words are applied to our immigrants. Jesus identifies with them completely.

He noted that many migrants leave difficult situations including violence and gang warfare. Some have survived human trafficking.

Its important that we see them not as problems, but as persons, he said.

Gomez reflected on Pope Franciss message for National Migration Week.

He reminds us of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and that she is our mother, and that we should not be afraid, because we are not alone, the archbishop said. It was a beautiful message of hope. I feel that is what we need right now. More hope for the future.

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Bishops remain hopeful on immigration reform in a Trump presidency - Crux: Covering all things Catholic

Americans satisfaction with immigration levels is at its highest point in more than a decade, but more than a third would prefer fewer immigrants coming into the country, a Gallup poll released Wednesday indicated.

Immigration has been a hot-button issue, with Congress wrangling over reforms for more than a decade and the incoming administration threatening to undue President Barack Obamas executive orders protecting millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

There were 42.4 million immigrants in the United States, about 13.3 percent of the total U.S. population of 318.9 million in 2014, up 2.5 percent on the previous year. Some 1.3 million foreign-born individuals moved to the United States in 2014, up 11 percent from 2013, with the greatest percentage coming from India (147,500), followed by China (131,800), Mexico (130,000), Canada (41,200) and the Philippines (40,500).

From 1860 to 1920, immigrants made up 13 to nearly 15 percent of the population, peaking at 14.8 percent in 1890.

A record high 41 percent of those queried said they are satisfied with current immigration levels, compared with 38 percent in 2014 and 23 percent in 2018. Yet 53 percent of those asked said they are dissatisfied: 36 percent saying they want less immigration, 5 percent saying they want more and 12 percent saying they are unhappy but dont want levels changed.

Dissatisfaction/satisfaction varied among political affiliation with 65 percent of Democrats saying they are satisfied and 62 percent of Republicans saying they are dissatisfied and want less.

Twenty-three percent of conservatives, 45 percent of moderates and 60 percent of liberals said they were satisfied with immigration levels. A majority of conservatives (56 percent) said they wanted less immigration compared with 30 percent of moderates and 15 percent of liberals.

White Americans were more likely to be dissatisfied with immigration levels (58 percent) than their nonwhite counterparts (52 percent), with 44 percent of whites saying they would like to see less immigration compared with 18 percent of nonwhites.

More than a third of Americans want immigration levels reduced, a Gallup poll indicated. Above, People to rally at the 'We're Here to Stay' immigration event at the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, Jan. 14, 2017. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants. Trumps election campaign website featured the view efforts should be focused on legal immigration controls to make sure American citizens get the first crack at jobs. He initially promised to depart the estimated 11 million people in the United States illegally but later modified that promise to focus on those who have committed crimes.

An earlier Gallup poll indicated 66 percent of Americans are opposed to building a border wall, 84 percent favor allowing immigrants in the U.S. illegally the chance to become U.S. citizens, and 66 percent oppose deporting them to their home country.

Mondays survey was part of Gallups Mood of the Nation poll. It was conducted Jan. 4-8 among 1,032 U.S. adults. The poll had a 4 percentage point margin of error and 95 percent confidence level.

Link:
Immigration Reform 2017: As Donald Trump Starts Term, Is The Number Of Immigrants Entering The USA Growing? - International Business Times

The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) called on CongressWednesdayto move quickly on immigration reform and to immediately protect young immigrants from deportation.

"We see that the strength of our cities in America rests on making sure that we have pathways towards full participation and inclusion of all Americans," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at a press conference.

The USCM passed an emergency resolution touting the contributions of immigrants and asking for comprehensive immigration reform. The resolution was submitted by Mayors Garcetti; Tom Tait of Anaheim, Calif.; Jorge Elorza of Providence, R.I.; and Ed Murray of Seattle.

The mayors also called for the protection of "Dreamers" undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to be a first priority under the incoming administration.

"Study after study shows that when we push people into the shadows they work for less than a minimum wage, they compete unfairly with American workers and drive everyones wages down," said Garcetti. "Conversely, legal status means a more prosperous economy not just for them, but for all of us."

Murray, who served as chair of the Mayors and Chiefs of Police Task Force, focused on the need for separation of local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement duties.

"When it comes to violent criminals, every police department in America and all the mayors, our primary responsibility is to secure the streets. Thats different from asking mayors and police departments to become a deportation force on behalf of the federal government," he said.

In the resolution, the USCM said mayors would "continue to advocate for an inclusive agenda that supports the economic, social and civic participation and vitality of immigrant communities."

Trump proposed to reduce federal police funds for cities that refused to turn over immigrants in police custody to punish those cities.

Mayors at the conference said most cities do turn over violent offenders who are also undocumented, but vowed not to turn over potential deportees simply because of their immigration status.

Garcetti downplayed the threat of federal funds being withheld.

"We all wish there were more federal money than we actually get, theres less and less each year, so maybe its less and less of a threat," he said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said mayors should not be swayed by threats.

"We already work with our federal partners in terms of dangerous criminals. Thats a given," de Blasio said, adding, "We cant live in fear of a potential threat to funding and start doing things that are bad for the people of our cities as a result."

Garcetti said Los Angeles would also prepare for potential mass federal raids on public spaces. The Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD) and several religious institutions, Garcetti said, had already declared their status as safe zones.

And Los Angeles set up a legal defense fund to help non-violent immigration offenders particularly Dreamers and relatives of veterans protect their due process rights in immigration courts.

"These [immigration] courts are not moving as it is today. Double the number cases or try to triple them? Its going to be years before we hear them. So lets solve the problem instead of fighting it out one case at a time," said Garcetti.

Tom Tait, the Republican mayor of Anaheim, Calif., agreed that pushing legislation through Congress should be the priority.

"The message is simply: Bipartisan mayors are seeking immigration reform to fix a broken immigration system and are asking Congress to do it and start immediately," said Tait.

Read this article:
Bipartisan group of mayors asks for immigration reform - The Hill

Progressive.org

Marchers Across the Country Turn Out In Support of Immigration Reform Progressive.org With less than a week until Donald Trump takes office, tens of thousands of immigrant activists in cities across the country rallied on Saturday against the president-elect, whose promise of mass deportations and hateful rhetoric have terrified ... U.S. Rep. Esty convenes Meriden discussion on immigration reform ahead of Trump inaugurationNew Haven Register Florida officials call on GOP lawmakers to protect immigrants' rightsWKMG Orlando all 69 news articles »

Excerpt from:
Marchers Across the Country Turn Out In Support of Immigration Reform - Progressive.org

Drew Angerer, Getty Images

One of the great honors that I have as a member of Congress is nominating young people to our nations military academies. Having served in both the U.S. Army and the Marines, Im continually impressed by the many bright and talented students seeking to serve as our nations next generation of military leaders.

The story of one young student in Aurora is one I will never forget. Monica Carreta wanted to go to the U.S. Naval Academy. She had just graduated at the top of her class from Aurora Hinkley High School and had all of the right attributes for a competitive application. There was just one problem. Monica is not a U.S. citizen because her parents had brought her from Mexico when she was just a year old. Monica grew up here, went to school here, and because the United States is the only country she has ever known, considers herself a loyal and patriotic American.

She did not end up applying to the Naval Academy through my office.

I strongly believe that Monica, and all of the young people like her, should be treated differently than the adults who knowingly violated our immigration laws. This is why Ive supported, and will continue to support, legislation, like H.R. 5533, the Recognizing American Children Act that I co-sponsored last summer, that gives young people, like Monica, a path to becoming a legal permanent resident based on their work history, education, or through military service. On Thursday I became a co-sponsor on the re-introduced Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, a House resolution that would provide childhood arrivals like Monica a three year extension under President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to live and work legally in the U.S.

For the adults, who knowingly broke the law, I propose, a brief window where those illegally in the country can come out of the shadows, pay a fine, undergo a criminal background check, and receive a legal status akin to a renewable work visa thus removing the fear of deportation and the breakup of families.

After this window elapses the United States must replace current immigration laws with a much tougher set of laws and enhanced border security in such a way that it sends a clear message that we are serious about ending illegal immigration. We can do that by adopting a policy of zero tolerance. Under current law, unlawful presence in the United States is not a crime and is only subject to civil penalties.

Currently, when illegal immigrants are caught they are not detained, unless they are in violation of a criminal law. These individuals are simply given a summons to appear at a hearing at a later date, which is often ignored. Being unlawfully in the United States should be a criminal offense for which the offending adult is detained and deported.

I strongly disagree with a special path to citizenship, for those adults who knowingly broke U.S. immigration laws. This is what the 2013 Senate bill 744 known as Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 would have allowed. This approach would be unfair to everyone who followed the law and waited in line to legally come to the United States.

Another critical aspect in rethinking immigration reform, involves our workforce. The Pew Research Center recently published a study that showed that there are an estimated 8 million illegal workers in the United States. In Colorado alone, Pew found that the number of illegal workers was consistent with the national average of 4.9 percent. This translates to approximately 140,000 illegal workers out of a total of 2.8 million workforce in the State.

There is no question that a key part of fixing our broken immigration system is a requirement mandating all employers use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of applicants and current employees. We must also provide stiff penalties for employers who fail to comply.

I am optimistic that we can fix our broken immigration system by securing our borders, enacting tougher laws and strict enforcement, all while still showing compassion by keeping families together. In other words, we need to rethink immigration reform in the 21st Century.

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman is a Republican who represents Colorados 6th Congressional District.

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Rethinking immigration reform - The Denver Post