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Bishop urges congressional support

Here is the text of a letter Bp. David Zubik recently sent to Wisconsin's senators and local representatives:

	Bishop David Zubik

The diocese has a proud tradition of service to immigrants and refugees, through our Catholic Charities whose staff provides social advocacy and immigration counseling to Spanish speaking immigrants and Hmong, African, and eastern European refugees in Green Bay, the Fox Cities, Manitowoc, Oshkosh. The staff of the diocesan department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services helps provide parish services to Spanish and Hmong migrants in over ten faith communities throughout our diocese.

With enthusiasm, I wholeheartedly embrace and support the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Justice for Immigrants campaign (justiceforimmigrants.org). The Conference of Bishops seeks an immigration policy that will maintain the unity of the human family rather than divide the families of immigrants entering the United States. We seek an immigration policy that honors the contributions of immigrants to our work force and economy rather than punishes workers for their contributions to our economic livelihood. We seek an immigration policy that equalizes educational and home buying opportunities for those who have graduated from our schools and paid income taxes to our nation and state, whether they or their parents were born in this country or not.

Related articles: from April 9, 2006 issue: • April march supports rights     Church joins in saying that all people who live in the     United States have certain rights • Treat immigrants as Jesus would: Bishop     (statement from Green Bay Bp. David Zubik     on immigration legislation) from March 31, 2006 issue: • Milwaukee protests HR-4437     Day without Latinos shows effects of proposed border laws from March 24, 2006 issue: • Editorial -- Positive reform     U.S. Senate and public should back McCain-Kennedy     immigration bill, not Sensenbrenner

Coupled with my endorsement, I ask your support for the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (HR 2330) and the DREAM Act of 2005. Such positive measures involve comprehensive immigration policy that addresses worker visas, family unification, border control maintenance, and educational opportunities. I ask your support for these or similar comprehensive and long term solutions to the immigration issue.

On the other hand, I vehemently oppose the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, HR 4437. The legislation is extremely punitive and will unduly harm immigrants and their families in this nation. It would unduly disrupt communities and businesses and unjustly threaten the work of any person providing social, pastoral, and or legal service to immigrants.