{"id":39401,"date":"2013-04-26T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2013-04-26T13:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.austincnm.com\/?p=39401"},"modified":"2013-04-26T15:47:01","modified_gmt":"2013-04-26T20:47:01","slug":"immigration-reform-is-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2013\/04\/immigration-reform-is-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Immigration Reform is Important"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Immigration<\/p>\n

Here in the Central Texas, we live off one of the busiest paths in the country that brings people and products to and from Mexico. Many of us have spent a considerable amount of effort \u00a0planning how to be navigate through or around I-35 so that we can get to the places we need to go, but we usually take for granted how much it connects us to our neighboring country.<\/p>\n

In Texas, immigration plays an even larger role than it most other states, but it\u2019s also important to remember that our immigrants extend from far beyond those that come from Mexico. We\u2019re blessed to have a very rich, diverse community with representation from all over the world. When I first moved here, it was very\u00a0noticeable\u00a0to me, and it\u2019s remained one of my favorite characteristics of Austin.<\/p>\n

The issue of immigration often gets confusing for many Catholics in the United States. To put it bluntly, many have based their opinions on the views of a political party over those of our faith.<\/p>\n

Just as we prioritize a pro-life approach to politics, we must also support the respect and inherent dignity of all people out of the womb. It\u2019s easy to see the defense of those that are cute and innocent, but we have to also defend the dignity of the marginalized and forgotten.<\/p>\n

In these situations, families are the ones that need\u00a0the most defending. There are many innocent children that should not be punished because of their parent\u2019s legal status. In my family, my parents immigrated here from Mexico under the Eisenhower administration’s\u00a0bracero program<\/a> to facilitate exchange of immigrant workers. My parents later became naturalized American citizens, so we were blessed to never have to deal with any legal issues. My father came because he saw an opportunity for our family, and God blessed him with a simple path to enter.\u00a0Unfortunately\u00a0 things have changed and many people have not been blessed to have it so easy.<\/p>\n

The corporal works of mercy remind us to feed the hungry, give drink to thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. While it is not explicitly listed as a corporal work, Catholic social teaching reminds us that we have to show love to strangers. I recommend reading more<\/a> about what our church teaches about immigration.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week Cardinal Dolan said it simply, ” this isn’t some wild, left-wing cause, this is classic Catholic teaching.” We\u2019re Catholics first, not Republicans or Democrats.<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n

Like so many issues today, finding a solution for immigration reform will be very complicated and costly, but we have hope that we can do it for the good of our nation. We are a country of immigrants that has thrived through bringing together people from all over the world. We must find a way to treat those that are in need while\u00a0simultaneously\u00a0working to keep our borders safe.<\/p>\n

\n

“We are part of a Church where, yes, all are welcome, but, no, not a Church of anything goes.”<\/p>\n

– Cardinal Dolan<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here is Texas, the spill over of the drug wars have shown us the need for better border security, and none of us are arguing against this point. At the same time, we have seen the richness that immigrants have given to our culture, and we believe that all people are deserving of respect as they seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for their families<\/p>\n

I don’t know what the solution is for the best reform, but I pray that our bishops are heard and that our politicians seek God’s guidance. Please join me in praying \u00a0for this cause.<\/p>\n

Recommended Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.usccb.org\/issues-and-action\/human-life-and-dignity\/immigration\/catholic-teaching-on-immigration-and-the-movement-of-peoples.cfm<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/cardinaldolan.org\/index.php\/all-are-welcome\/<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com\/2013\/04\/were-gonna-be-judged-on-whether-or-not.html<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here in the Central Texas, we live off one of the busiest paths in the country that brings people and products to and from Mexico. Many of us have spent a considerable amount of effort \u00a0planning how to be navigate through or around I-35 so that we can get to the places we need to… [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[89,92],"tags":[1664,1665,1540,650],"class_list":{"0":"post-39401","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-family","7":"category-news","8":"tag-catholic-social-teaching","9":"tag-immigrants","10":"tag-immigration","11":"tag-mexico","12":"entry","13":"has-post-thumbnail"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":372024,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/sign-times-temptation-survivial\/","url_meta":{"origin":39401,"position":0},"title":"A Sign of Our Times: The Temptation of Survivial","author":"Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez","date":"March 9, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The temptation of survival begins with fear in our hearts deceiving us that there are not enough jobs, resources, and food even though statistically we throw away half of our food every year. \u00a0The spirits of fear and greed trick us into believing we are no longer safe, and we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Column"","block_context":{"text":"Column","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/column\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/atxcatholic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/ProtestantPastor-135x190.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":53513,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2014\/10\/immigration-saint-ignatius-martyr-parish-social-ministry-council-panel-series\/","url_meta":{"origin":39401,"position":1},"title":"Immigration – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series","author":"Trenton Henrichson","date":"October 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"This year the ACNM in\u00a0partnership with Saint Ignatius\u00a0Parish Social Ministry Council\u00a0is excited to be\u00a0hosting a monthly pot-luck speaker series featuring the many social ministries in Austin Texas\u00a0 In our first panel which took place September 30th we discussed how Catholics are responding to the needs of immigrants in our nation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Social Justice"","block_context":{"text":"Social Justice","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/social-justice\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"10723075_10100565571502304_243591740_n","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/10723075_10100565571502304_243591740_n-332x183.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":366051,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2017\/02\/courage\/","url_meta":{"origin":39401,"position":2},"title":"Courage","author":"Trenton Henrichson","date":"February 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"For Catholics of well- formed conscience, the drama unfolding at the Texas Capitol has been disconcerting at best. Gov. Abbot has ordered an emergency session to draft and ratify Senate Bill SB-4. The bill aims to penalize counties and cities whose law enforcement officials will not turn over their residents\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/atxcatholic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/vasquez-SB4-294x190.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49596,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2014\/07\/see-reflection-immigrant-crisis\/","url_meta":{"origin":39401,"position":3},"title":"When you see… A Reflection on the Immigrant Crisis","author":"Trenton Henrichson","date":"July 10, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"According to the local folklore, the drama at Sacred Heart in McAllen all started with what a few saw. 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