Bishop advocates in Washington for undocumented students, refugees

Published: 2007-09-24

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., advocated on behalf of undocumented students hoping to attend college and people seeking refugee status or asylum in separate appearances Sept. 19 in Washington. In a statement at the National Press Club, Bishop Wenski, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Policy and a consultant to their Committee on Migration, urged quick passage of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, known as the DREAM Act. He called on elected officials to "resist the voices of dissension and fear this time and vote for the DREAM Act," which would allow young adults who are in the U.S. illegally through no fault of their own to attend college at in-state tuition rates and to become permanent residents. Later that day, Bishop Wenski told a Senate subcommittee that Congress must correct the unintended consequences of recent changes in immigration law language relating to the issue of "material support." Provisions of the USA Patriot Act and Real ID Act bar anyone who has provided "material support" to "terrorist organizations" from entering the United States.

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