At recent gatherings, the first question people have asked when they hear about our pilgrimage is, "So, which side are you on?" To say we are on the side of justice is accurate but not very specific. So, we are praying for immigration reform legislation that includes five elements identified as essential by the U.S. Catholic Bishops:
1) an earned legalization program that allows undocumented persons to earn permanent residency;
2) a worker program that protects foreign-born workers and safeguards against the displacement of U.S. workers;
3) family-based immigration reform that reduces waiting time for family reunification;
4) restoration of due process protections for immigrants; and
5) policies that address the root causes of migration.
These five priorities address injustice and unfairness whether they affect undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants and U.S. citizens. We want to address the injustices in our immigration system and in our current situation that affect all of us and all of our communities.
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