Cardinal DiNardo's Statement on President Obama's Executive Order on Immigration
December 2, 2014
While the recent announcement by President Obama regarding Executive Action on immigration is certainly welcome, it also serves as a reminder that there is much work that needs to be done in regards to immigration reform. I am grateful that this action will provide temporary relief for families living in constant fear of deportation and detention. But this action is only temporary and that is why I, along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, continue to urge our lawmakers to fix a immigration system in desperate need of repair.
As stated in Matthew 25: 35: ‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,’ the dignity and welfare of the human person is paramount to our existence, without exception. Through effective policy, we must find a just resolution to this crisis which leaves so many of our brothers and sisters vulnerable and in dire circumstances. We will continue to urge the President and Congress to address this issue with undocumented immigrants and their families not through limited temporary measures, but comprehensive legislative reform.