The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City and chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Communications Committee, gave the following comments at a press conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14, 2013. Bishop Wester also is a member of the USCCB Committee on Migration.
"We stand at a crucial moment in our nation’s immigration debate, in which our elected leaders must decide whether they will move the nation forward or continue to sanction an immoral status quo.
"From the faith perspective, immigration reform is about human beings and their basic rights, life and dignity. Too often in this nation we witness the violation of the rights of immigrants and the loss of their dignity and yes, lives. Each day, families are separated and devastated by our government, migrant workers are exploited and victimized by smugglers and unscrupulous employers, and human beings – men, women, and children – die in the American desert.
"This suffering must end. We are a great nation, built and sculpted by immigrants. At the same time we are diminished by an immigration system that leads to their degradation. It is a stain on the soul of our nation.
"From a moral perspective, we cannot accept the taxes and toil of undocumented immigrants at the same time we keep them in the shadows, without rights or the protection of the law. We cannot have it both ways.
"Pope Francis, upon visiting the island of Lampedusa, Italy, where many African migrants arrive in Europe, spoke of a global "throwaway culture" which devalues the lives of those less fortunate and takes for granted their contributions, particularly in a globalized world. This "throwaway culture" exists in America as well, as we continue to enjoy the benefits of the hard work of undocumented immigrants but readily cast them away, and, when convenient, scapegoat them for our problems.
"It has been well over a quarter of a century since our nation has revamped our immigration laws in a comprehensive way. We can no longer let partisan politics keep us from fulfilling our duty toward our fellow human beings, the American public, and our immigrant heritage. Let us pray that our elected officials develop the courage to move this issue forward in the days and months ahead."
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