Speakers call for more enlightened, humane migration policy

Published: 2004-09-27

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) -- The value and dignity of every human being was the theme that permeated a Sept. 19-22 international conference at the University of Notre Dame on "Migration and Theology." That theme also prompted the call by several speakers for a more enlightened and humane immigration policy in the United States. More than 400 people came to the conference from Europe and Asia as well as from all over South, Central and North America to hear presentations by 37 different speakers. The interdisciplinary conference considered the various aspects of migration -- particularly the plight of those who enter countries illegally -- in an effort to highlight the issue and to guide pastoral care of migrant peoples at a time when U.S. border security has increased since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Several conference speakers noted the irony that in the United States the economy in many states depends to a great extent on undocumented workers. According to conference speakers, about 10 million undocumented people reside in this country, most of whom are employed and many of whom, they said, are being exploited for their labor and subjected to unsafe and unfair working conditions because they are in the country illegally. Several speakers called for a policy that would allow undocumented workers to regularize their status.

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