July 2, 2017 - "Immigration in Maryland"

On May 30, 2017, the Catholic Bishops of Maryland released a statement addressing immigration in Maryland.  Our Bishops have called for compassion, prudence, and cooperation.  They note that the complexity of federal immigration enforcement policies at the local level are of particular concern.  In Maryland, they note, that this is especially the case in light of the unsuccessful efforts to pass state legislation aimed at identifying uniform state parameters for cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents.  As more and more local governments in Maryland take up the issue moving forward, our Bishops urge all Marylanders to consider the following principles as a basis for engaging in dialogue as we work toward the common goal.
The Catholic Bishops of Maryland recommend that we recall these historic words by Pope Francis when he spoke to the U.S. Congress in 2015:  “[I]f we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us give opportunities.  The yardstick that we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.”
Our Bishops urge state and local elected officials and lawmakers at the executive, legislative and judicial levels to enact and uphold immigrant policies that:

• Respect the spirit of our country’s Fourth Amendment protection against apprehension and searches of persons or homes without probable cause, and against detention beyond normal criminal procedures, while at the same time respecting the necessary role of law enforcement to uphold laws and policies that keep our communities safe.
• Give priority of ensuring the integrity of families and the ability of working parents to support and care for their children.
• Build trust with our immigrant communities by establishing a clear division of duties between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents so that immigrants feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with police investigations.
• Create safe environments by enforcing clearly established consequences for criminal violations of the law.
• Reduce fear among our immigrant communities by protecting their ability to congregate and move freely at their churches, schools, and other community gathering places.

At the same time the Catholic Bishops of Maryland urge the Catholics of Maryland, members of other faith communities, and all people of good will to:

• Respect differences of opinion on this issue in a spirit of listening and understanding rather than accusation and name calling.
• Engage in the political process and communicate their opinions to their elected officials.  They encourage us neither to shy away from the political arena, nor to allow partisan and hyperbolic factions to dominate the political debate on immigration.
• Seek to learn more about the root causes of immigration and the challenges immigrants face in navigating our country’s complex immigration system.
• Develop personal relationships with immigrants in our communities and learn firsthand about their hopes and dreams, fears and sorrows.

At the end of the document the Bishops offer a word of hope to our immigrant brothers and sisters who have come to Maryland in search of a better life.  They also thank them for their inspiring example of fortitude, industriousness, strong family values, and for their contribution to the qualities of life that truly define the greatness of America.
Until next week,
Fr. John Dillon