Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

One of the most easily and commonly overlooked groups of immigrants are detainees. Every day, more than 32,000 individuals languish in detention facilities scattered across the country, unnoticed and ignored.  Thousands of these detainees are immigrants fleeing persecution and seeking refuge in the United States.

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society in economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. (USCCB, Themes of Catholic Social Teaching­).

Over the past week, thousands of people clicked on the news stories in our daily immigration news briefings.  However, whenever there is news about the Obama administration taking a stance on immigration reform, it is usually the top story.  Impending court cases that could impact the future like the one below are also popular.  Lastly, a lot of people thought that the opportunity to give DHS their opinion was one they could not pass up.  Take a look at this week’s top stories: 

In our work to educate and increase awareness about the need for immigration reform, we have  discovered a common thread. Tell someone about why he should support immigration reform and you may only be partially successful at convincing him of the need for immigration reform. Introduce him to an immigrant and let that immigrant tell the horrors of navigating the U.S.

July 31, 2009
 
CLINIC compiles a free Immigration News Bulletin of immigration-related news articles of interest to our network on a regular basis. Every Friday, CLINIC will post the three articles most popular with its readers.  Here are this week’s top stories.

It's been quite a week.

Last week, many of us were celebrating the bold and public affirmations by government and elected officials that immigration reform is on the way. We smiled cautiously and optimistically in hopes that the administration and Congress finally understood the urgency behind the need to fix our broken immigration system.

Pope Benedict XVI has officially declared June 19, 2009-June 19, 2010 the "Year for Priests." In his declaration of the "Year for Priests," the Pope mentions the ecclesial, communal, hierarchical, and doctrinal dimensions that come with being a priest. He also emphasized that without priests, "there would be no Eucharist, no mission" and no Church. Pope Benedict XVI goes on to say: 

In some circles, it would be said that this was a good month for immigration advocates. Around the halls of Congress and in news reports nationwide, officials have boldly and loudly announced support for immigration reform and for pursuing it this year.

On June 20, we celebrate World Refugee Day. It's a little known acknowledgment to individuals who display bravery and courage in the face of difficult circumstances. Talk to any individual that has had to flee their home and their story will offer a tiny glimpse into the strength that it must take to leave all that is familiar (even in the face of persecution) with no idea of your future. Yet, every year thousands do. The U.S.