President Barack Obama plans to lay out his vision for immigration reform in Las Vegas today, January 29, 2013, a vision, CBS news reports, that he originally laid out in a major immigration speech in El Paso, Texas in May 2011.
A group of bipartisan senators formally unveiled their framework for comprehensive immigration reform yesterday that is said to be similar to the president’s plan.
“It is both overdue and heartening that the critical issue of immigration reform is moving to the top of Washington’s agenda,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “Each day Catholic Charities responds to many calls for assistance from immigrants who needlessly struggle and are threatened by the dysfunctions in our current system.”
Day in and day out, Catholic Charities helps immigrants reunite legally with their families, obtain proper work authorization, learn English and civics, and prepare to pass citizenship exams. Catholic Charities also assists immigrants in avoiding exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners by providing correct information and realistic counsel about immigration status.
In any given year…
| 3,378 | families counseled and protected from exploitation |
| 40,651 | calls answered in 18 languages with accurate information |
| 445 | breadwinners helped to obtain authorization to work |
| 417 | immigrants reunited with their families |
| 281 | refugee and asylee families resettled |
| 291 | immigrants taught English |
“Keeping families together, fair and humane legal immigration policies, reducing illegal immigration, protecting against exploitation and an earned way out of the shadows for the undocumented are all parts of broad immigration reform that this country needs,” Msgr. Sullivan continued. “Catholic Charities is ready and willing to work with many partners to achieve this critical goal.”
Do you need help? Get correct information in 17 languages:
Call Catholic Charities at the New York State New Americans Hotline: 212-419-3737 or 1-800-566-7636 (toll-free in NYS).
For more information please visit the following web links:
- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
www.usccb.org/news/2013/13-028.cfm - Catholic Charities USA’s Newsroom Resources:
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/2013/01/ccusa-statement-on-immigration-reform
