Hundreds at Cincinnati cathedral push for just immigration law

Published: 2006-03-16

CINCINNATI (CNS) -- Immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico and other parts of Central and South America joined Anglos and faithful of all backgrounds at Cincinnati's Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains March 11 to push for just immigration reform. More than 500 people gathered at the cathedral, many bearing signs such as "Immigrants want respect from the U.S. government," "Kennedy McCain bill will save lives," and "Sensenbrenner, No." One sign was a reference to an immigration bill co-sponsored by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The other referred to HR 4437, the measure passed by the U.S. House last December. It was introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and would make people in the United States without documents felons and make those who help them -- doctors, lawyers, food pantry workers or priests -- criminals for "aiding and abetting" them. In his remarks, Auxiliary Bishop Carl K. Moeddel told of how the ancestors of many in the Cincinnati Archdiocese came to the area as immigrants who were escaping "oppression, poverty and the absence of freedom in their own countries." "They came seeking opportunity to live a decent life, raise families and build the American dream. Today, immigrants continue to escape hopeless conditions in their own countries, and our concern for them has not changed," he said.

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