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CWS applauds U.S. Senate for passing bipartisan immigration bill

May 30, 2006

Statement from Joseph Roberson, Director, CWS Immigration and Refugee Program

Church World Service applauds the Senate for passing S. 2611, a bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill, which opens the way for a congressional dialogue on immigration. The work of the senators, their staff, and advocates shows the potential for a final bill that will best reflect the needs, concerns, and cares of this nation of immigrants.

We now encourage both the House and the Senate to look closely at their bills; the reality of the border; the lives of the over fifty million American families who will be affected by this legislation; the economic repercussions of the final legislation; the feasibility and cost of implementation; and the impact it will have politically both nationally and internationally. It is our hope that the final bill, passed by both houses, will be just, humane, comprehensive, and compassionate.

We continue to call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will:

Provide an opportunity for all undocumented immigrants, who are contributing to this country through their work, to meet reasonable criteria and, over time, pursue a path to legalization and citizenship (We support earned legalization not amnesty);

Reform our family-based immigration system to significantly reduce waiting times for separated families who currently wait many years to be reunited;

Create legal avenues for migrant workers and their families to enter the U.S. and work in a safe, legal and orderly manner with their rights fully protected;

Develop policies that are consistent with humanitarian values; treat all individuals with respect; allow the authorities to identify and prevent terrorists and dangerous criminals from entering the country, and bolster our national security through effective enforcement, not through expanded fencing and militarization of the border;

Address the role employers have played in creating the immigration crisis;

Protect individuals and organizations who act as Good Samaritans without regard to persons' immigration status; and

Safeguard asylum seekers and assure an opportunity to prove they deserve asylum.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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