Who Is My Neighbor?
Inspired by the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, we honor the dignity of every person. As Pope Francis said: “These are not mere social or migrant issues… Migrants are first of all human persons.” We affirm the sacred human right of all people to seek asylum.
Trump Administration’s New Rule Threatens Children and Families
We are called by our faith to care for the vulnerable and challenged by our national values to promote the welfare of our children and to tend the common good. President Trump’s continued attempts to use the mistreatment of children to deter those seeking refuge and asylum in the United States is unconscionable. We strongly oppose the administration’s efforts to discard the Flores Settlement Agreement safeguards which protect the welfare of migrant children in U.S. government custody.
Children and families should never be incarcerated. First, because detention, even for a short period, has been proven to be detrimental to a child’s development, health, and well-being. Secondly, we know that there are effective alternatives to detention, including the Family Case Management System, that are less harmful and far more cost effective. Finally, it is clear that this new rule does not serve the best interests of children. Instead, it undermines existing child protections required by the Flores Agreement.
Join Us In Acting – Call on Congress to….
1. Reduce Funding for Deportation, Detention, and Border Militarization and Support Funding for Refugee Resettlement and Asylum
When determining federal appropriations for FY 2020, we urge Congress to reduce funds for CPB and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Refuse to provide any additional funding for a border wall; instead allocate resources to support refugee resettlement and access to asylum.
2. Keep Families Together and Invest in Alternatives to Detention
We call for an end to family detention this year, by December 2019, and urge Congress to increase funding for less costly, more efficient, community-based alternatives to detention.
3. Exert Robust Oversight over Detention and Uses of Federal Funding
We urge Congress to require additional inspections of ICE facilities, ensure ICE publishes public weekly reports, and create a detention ombudsperson to strengthen oversight. Congress should also prohibit federal funds from being used to: enforce Muslim or refugee bans, deport or detain DACA, TPS, or DED holders, and carry out immigration enforcement operations at “sensitive” locations including schools, churches, and hospitals.
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