Mexican bishops appeal for just US immigration laws

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April 2006

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Mexican bishops appeal for just US immigration laws
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Mexican bishops appeal for just US immigration laws
As nation-wide protests brought thousands of Americans of all faiths and none out onton the streets protesting proposed laws to restrict immigration into the United States, Mexican Bishops issued a statement calling for just reform.

"We join the Bishops of the United States in calling for a reform which is just and reasonable, does not exclude anyone and always recognises that these are laws which strike human beings," they said in a statement dated 28 March, signed by the Bishops' Conference president Bishop José Guadalupe Martín Rabago of Leon and vice president Bishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of Texcoco on agreements regarding emigration between the United States and Mexico.

The Bishops said: "Emigration cannot be stopped with different kinds of barriers" hence the need to "talks to find basic solutions." At the same time they call on the United States to find "legal ways to guarantee Mexicans in the US jobs which allow them to lead a worthy life with a just wage and adequate labour protection and services."

For their part the Mexican Bishops said the Catholic Church in Mexico will continue to foster serious and respectful dialogue: "We cannot shirk our responsibility to promote structural reform so Mexicans may find basic conditions for a worthy lifestyle in their own country whatever profession they choose."

The bishops ended the statement calling everyone to cooperate "in the common search for ways to solve the problem contributing with our participation and commitment to respecting rights, and to see that justice is done for our brothers and sisters who wish to improve their standard of living."

Source: Independent Catholic News, Fides

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