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Opinion Immigration

On the issue of immigration reform, President Obama has much more than a mere friend in Pope Francis. In fact, if the White House allowed for it, he could have a de-facto spokesperson on immigration reform in the Holy Father.

Much like he used the popes words to successfully frame the income inequality debate last December, President Obama should again go back to Francis to restart the immigration reform debate in Washington.

He has a lot to work with. Since taking office, Pope Francis has put respect for immigrants right at the top of his agenda. In his first pastoral trip, he visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, where hundreds have died in recent months trying to immigrate into Europe from North Africa.

His words that day still ring in my ears: God asks us today: where is your brother? Has any one of us wept because of this situation and others like it? Has any one of us grieved for the death of these brothers and sisters? Has any one of us wept for these persons who were [immigrating here]? For the young mothers carrying their babies? For these men who were looking for a means of supporting their families?

We are a society which has forgotten how to weep, how to experience compassionsuffering with others: the globalization of indifference has taken from us the ability to weep, he said. His compelling message on the rights and dignity of immigrants transcend ideology. It also provides a great context for advancing this great cause of comprehensive immigration reform in our country.

The functional politics of immigration reform is rather simple: we need Speaker Boehner, a Catholic from Ohio, to muster the political courage to bring immigration reform to a vote on the House floor. Once there, its clear the bill would pass with bipartisan support. But Boehner has been held back by the lack of agreement in his own party, and the risk that he could lose his job as speaker if he moves forward with immigration reform.

The truth is that hes probably right. But if we are to believe the testimony of Pope Francis, something greater than Speaker Boehners political future is at stake.

This is where the President of the United States needs to speak clearly. Drawing directly from Francis, President Obama needs to remind the American people of the moral imperative of passing immigration reform and of the real human suffering that is present in todays unjust system. In a new way, he must publicly call on Speaker Boehner to move on this critical issue and to fight against the globalization of indifference.

Theres no doubt that John Boehner, a Jesuit-educated politician, has tremendous respect for his Catholic faith and for Pope Francis. Just two weeks ago, he extended an invitation for the Holy Father to address both Houses of Congress during a potential 2015 papal visit to the United States.

Originally posted here:

Give em Francis, Barry!