As Christians we need to remember that there is a sense in which no human being can be called "illegal." The human and moral dimensions of this crisis call for compassionate solutions rather than rushing to judgment about legality and amnesty. The truth is that for years immigrants have been coming to our country from situations of poverty, violence, and oppression. Some of our own immigrant parents and grandparents came for these same reasons.

Since immigration reform collapsed in Congress in June 2007, three disturbing consequences are adding to the confusion: 1) The government is planning to crack down on employers nationwide who employ undocumented immigrants increasing fines by 25%. 2) Over 1400 immigration-related bills are going through state legislatures, mostly punitive, creating more misery for immigrant workers and their families. And 3) most recently Enforcement Only bills have been introduced in both Houses of Congress. In addition the government will begin using new technology to create a virtual fence along sections of the border with Mexico.

Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, worried about the impact on families, said, "Every day that this status quo is permitted to exist is a moral failure for our nation, as well as a legislative one." He indicated the resolve of the Catholic Church to continue to be active in support of effective immigration reform. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the US Bishops' Domestic Policy Committee for Labor declared that "as a church, we must keep looking for a way to re-start the discussion...to search for practical and realistic solutions" to the complicated issues of immigration."What is really needed is comprehensive legislation that would acknowledge the benefits of these workers to the economy and provide a path to legal citizenship that does not take years and years!

Ideas for next steps:

• What do you think? Click the Reply button below and share your thoughts.
• Write or call your representative urging Congress to take up comprehensive immigration legislation once again--legislation that is respectful of human dignity and human need. Write: US House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515, or call 202-224-3121.