The Dominican Congregations of Amityville, Blauvelt, Hope, Sparkill (NY) and Caldwell (NJ) believe that our present immigration law is badly broken and in need of reform: it ignores the human situation of separated families and the oppressive living conditions that force people to migrate.

We support a compassionate and comprehensive immigration law that:

1.  Provides the processes for undocumented persons to achieve permanent residency and citizenship without leaving the United States,

2.  Creates legal avenues for migration,

3.  Assures family unity for immigrant families,

4.  Provides guaranteed human rights and labor protections for undocumented workers – and all workers,

5.  Addresses the root-causes of migration by protecting the human rights of workers internationally.

Members of these congregations have a long history of working and advocating with immigrants and commit themselves to the following Actions:

1. Publish our corporate stance in the media,

2.  Educate ourselves by staying informed of developments in immigration legislation,

3.  Continue to advocate and educate for immigration reform in our ministries, parishes and with other concerned groups and

4.  Contact local and federal legislators to support the issue of a just reform of immigration laws.

The Resources used to prepare membership for this corporate stance are available upon request.

Here are helpful websites:

US Bishops Campaign

http://www.usccb.org/mrs

http://domlife.org/Justice/Immigration/Immigration2006.htm

http://www.osjspm.org/catholic_social_teaching.aspx

http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrsocialjustice/issues.htm

http://www.networklobby.org/issues/comprehensive-immigration-reform

http://www.cliniclegal.org

International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace