Strangers at the golden door

by Dave Borowski
Arlington Catholic Herald
21 de enero del 2010

...The bishops are concerned that the door for immigrants is closing and believe that immigration reform is needed now more than ever.

In order to build support for immigration reform, the Justice for Immigrants campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is planning a postcard campaign to press legislators to fix a broken system...

...In the Arlington Diocese, the postcard effort is being coordinated by Father José E. Hoyos, director of the Spanish Apostolate, and Corinne Monogue, director of Multicultural Ministries.

Monogue is ordering postcards for parishes, schools, colleges and other diocesan entities. Monogue plans to get completed postcards to representatives by mid-February.

Information will be coming soon to parishes on the mechanics of the postcard campaign. Monogue needs cooperation across the diocese for the message to be heard.

“I am looking for active participation across the Diocese of Arlington, from the many faithful, to bring attention to reform that directly benefits the dignity of human beings.” said Monogue.

Father Hoyos is eager to get the postcards out to parishioners and others in the diocese and into the hands of legislators as soon as possible. He said he’s been working on immigration reform for years and things never seem to happen, but he believes that the climate is right for change.

Father Hoyos said that this movement is a matter of basic human rights.

“It’s a way to respect life,” he said.

Families are being torn apart, said Father Hoyos. Parents are being deported — leaving their children behind. The situation is simple, he said. If you’re a Catholic you need to support immigration reform.

“We need a new culture of immigration in American society today,” Father Hoyos said. “This is our time.”

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