We found out earlier this month Speaker Boehner would not bring immigration reform to a vote in the House of Representatives. Three House Committees held hearings on the issue of unaccompanied children arriving at our southern border: Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere. While each Committee investigated the causes of what is occurring on the border, there was a significant difference in tone and substance between the hearings. The Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees paid significant attention to the humanitarian aspects of the crisis, while the Judiciary Committee used the hearing as an opportunity to blame the Administration for the crisis stating the problem is “an Administration made disaster.” The Judiciary Committee hearing is disproportionately important because it is the committee with primary responsibility for immigration reform legislation. This comes to you courtesy of NETWORK, who has done exceptional social justice lobbying this year for immigration reform. Our Precious Blood communities have advocated for immigrants’ rights frequently throughout our history. Let us continue our efforts to care for immigrants among us now.
Daryl Charron, C.PP.S.
