Nonpunitive immigration reform urged at Catholic gathering

Published: 2006-02-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops are seeking comprehensive, nonpunitive immigration reform, Catholic social ministry leaders at a national meeting in Washington were told Feb. 13. Kevin Appleby, public policy director of Migration and Refugee Services, an agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, sharply criticized the "many harsh provisions" of a recently passed House immigration bill and urged support for the Secure Immigration and Orderly Immigration Act introduced in the Senate by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. Appleby gave one of numerous public policy workshops that the social ministry leaders from across the country attended as they prepared to go to Capitol Hill Feb. 14 to meet with their senators and representatives to discuss legislative issues of concern to the church. The workshops and Hill visits were part of the Feb. 12-15 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, co-sponsored by five agencies of the U.S. bishops' conference and 12 national Catholic organizations.

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