October 11 and 18:
As the nation mourns the loss of Senator Kennedy, we're reminded of his dedication to protecting the rights of immigrants and supporting every facet of immigration reform. Senator Kennedy was moved by the "immigrant spirit of limitless possibility" of those coming to America. "This country, with each new wave of immigrants has been energized and advanced, quite frankly, in terms of its economic, social, cultural and political life."
Did you know that:
- Thousands of immigrants are fighting in the U.S. armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan today?
- Each farmworker creates an average of three new local jobs in packaging, shipping, and sales?
- Immigrants collectively pay more than $90 billion in taxes?
October 25 and November 11:
Each year on November 2, All Souls Day, bishops in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico concelebrate Mass to remember all those who have died trying to cross the border into the United States. These Day of the Dead Masses are celebrated with Catholics gathered on either side of the border fence. Readings and prayers alternate from side to side, English and Spanish.
Did you know that:
- Until about 1924, people moved fairly freely across the borders of Mexico and California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico?
- Every day immigrants dehydrate in deserts, drown in canals, freeze in mountains, and suffocate in tractor trailers?
- Since October 2008, 416 border deaths have been reported; over 200 bodies have been found in the Arizona/Mexico border area alone?
- Although total illegal border crossings have decreased, the number of deaths is increasing as immigrants move to more remote and hazardous locations?
November 8 and 15:
The United States has greatly increased its scrutiny of immigrants in the wake of the tragedies of September 11, 2001. In the name of national security, some jurisdictions have deputized local police to assist with enforcement. From Fiscal Year (FY) 1993 to FY 2006, the U.S. Border Patrol budget more than quadrupled from $362 million to $1.6 billion, and the number of Border Patrol agents more than tripled from 3, 995 to 14, 400.
Did you know that:
- All 19 terrorists of September 11th came into the United States with legal visas (2 overstayed these visas)?
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations have left behind children who were born here without one or both parents?
- The cost of ICE detentions is budgeted at $1.7 billion for FY 2010?
The Catholic Church recognizes the right of a nation to control its borders, but it does not see this as an "absolute right," nor does it see sovereign rights as having priority over basic human rights. While ideally people would find work in their home country, the church teaches that if their country of birth does not afford the conditions necessary to lead a fully human life, persons have a right to emigrate.
Did you know that:
- Immigrants make up more than 10% of the population of Virginia?
- Undocumented immigrants in Virginia paid between $260 million and $311 million in taxes in 2007?
- Latino and Asian entrepreneurs and consumers add billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to Virginia's economy?
Most future population growth in the United States will occur through immigration and through births to immigrants and their descendents. By 2020 it is estimated that "almost 30 percent of children born in the United States will have one or more foreign born parent."
About one in every 10 children born in the United States each year are the children of undocumented parents. More than 3 million U.S. children who are U.S. citizens have at least one parent without legal status. Each year about 65,000 U.S.-raised undocumented students graduate from high school. The United States has already invested in their futures.
Did you know that:
- Children of immigrants will drive our future economy, just as our ancestors did?
- Without parents who are citizens or permanent residents, Virginia students are not considered to be residents, and therefore are not eligible to receive in-state tuition at Virginia universities?
- States that have permitted in-state tuition (currently 10 states) have experienced increased school revenues from the tuition of students who otherwise would not be in college?
U.S. law does not currently provide a path for immigrants who are undocumented to regularize their status. Many of these immigrants entered the country legally with a visa but have extended their stay beyond the allowed dates. As of 2007, about 75 percent of Americans supported allowing those in the U.S. to remain for either temporary work or to become citizens.
Did you know that:
- The costs of becoming a U.S. citizen have increased dramatically, rising to $676 to process an application for citizenship, and $1,010 for a green card?
- The costs to deport the 12 million undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. is estimated to be $80 billion?
This month we celebrate National Migration Week. America is a country of immigrants, founded on the principle of providing opportunity to all. The labor, values, and beliefs of immigrants from throughout the world have transformed the United States from a loose group of colonies into one of the leading democracies in the world today.
"Nearly all Americans have ancestors who braved the oceans -- liberty-loving risk takers in search of an ideal -- the largest voluntary migrations recorded in history. Across the Pacific, across the Atlantic, they came from every point on the compass -- many passing beneath the Statue of Liberty -- with fear and vision, with sorrow and adventure, fleeing tyranny or terror, seeking haven, and all seeking hope...Immigration is not just a link to America's past; it's also a bridge to America's future." -- George W. Bush
Our "faith reminds us how we are all pilgrims on our way towards our true homeland." (The Love of Christ Toward Migrants)
Please join us in celebrating National Migration Week and praying for immigration reform.
A Prayer for Immigrant Justice
Blessed are You, Lord God,
King of all creation.
Through Your goodness, we live in this land
that You have so richly blessed.
Help us always to recognize our
Blessings come from You
and remind us to share them
with others, especially those who come
to us today from other lands.
Help us to be generous, just, and welcoming,
as You have been and are generous to us.
