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State and Local Catholic Agencies Comment on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT:
Bart Weigel
Director of Communications and Development
(502) 637-9786 / bweigel@archlou.org

Mark Bouchard
Advocacy and Education Coordinator
(502) 637-9786 / mbouchard@archlou.org

STATE AND LOCAL CATHOLIC AGENCIES
COMMENT ON COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

WHAT

 Catholic Charities of Louisville, along with the Catholic Conference of Kentucky and the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Multicultural Ministry, will host a press conference about comprehensive immigration reform.

WHEN

 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 8, 2007

WHY

 Catholic social doctrine teaches the sanctity of life and the dignity of every human being. Encompassed in these teachings is the welcoming of the stranger. This briefing hopes to educate the community about comprehensive immigration reform while calling our community to act by supporting legislation that strengthens family unity and provides a path to citizenship for those coming to America in the search of a better life for themselves and their families.

WHO

 Mark Bouchard - Facilitator: Advocacy and Education Coordinator, Catholic Charities of Louisville
Ed Monahan: Executive Director, Catholic Conference of Kentucky
Tom Gurucharri: Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Multicultural Ministry
Anne Achico: Assistant Director, Catholic Charities of Louisville Immigration Legal Services
WHERE Catholic Charities of Louisville
2917 South Fourth Street, First floor (Old Holy Name School building)

Background

Last week, the U.S. Senate began debate on “The Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007” (S.1348), a bill that would make substantial changes to U.S. Immigration laws if enacted.

During the debate, several amendments were offered that attempted to eliminate key provisions of the legislation. The Dorgan and Vitter amendments, attempting to remove the temporary worker program and the legalization program, were overwhelmingly defeated by 31-65 and 29-66, respectively. The “Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act” and the Graham amendment, which requires jail time for those who re-enter illegally into the country, were adopted by a voice vote.

On June 5, the Senate will reconvene and consider more amendments to the legislation. Several family amendments could be considered, including an amendment by Senator Menendez to move the family backlog reduction date to anyone who filed prior to January 1, 2007; an amendment by Senator Clinton to remove the cap on spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents; and amendments by Senator Obama to make the new “point” system family-friendly and to sunset it after five years.

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