Immigration advocates learn strategies for lobbying on legislation

Published: 2007-04-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Providing a way for illegal immigrants to regularize their status is not "amnesty," a roomful of immigration advocates was told April 18. And when one is confronted by people who argue that the Catholic Church has no business trying to influence legislation on behalf of immigrants, quotations from Scripture about welcoming the stranger and protecting those in need of protection can be helpful, they were advised. In preparation sessions preceding a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill as part of a Justice for Immigrants national gathering, participants from 66 dioceses got a crash course in how to effectively present the church's position about what a comprehensive immigration reform bill ought to include and why. "Be clear that you are inviting and informing, not forcing," said Joan Rosenhauer, special projects coordinator for the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Start by explaining Catholic teaching and tradition about migrants, Rosenhauer suggested. "What does it mean to love our neighbor? To support a preferential option for the poor?"

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