U.S. and Mexican bishops call for just immigration reform

Washington D.C., Sep 4, 2008 / 09:58 am

At the 2008 Conference on Immigration in Washington D.C., bishops from Mexico and the United States called for immigration reform that respects human rights and the dignity of those affected by violence against undocumented immigrants.

During the conference, which took place July 29-31, the bishops said, “It is urgent that help be given to Central American immigrants who pass through Mexico and to those who manage to cross the border into the United States.

They pointed out that “many people feel forced by extreme poverty to immigrate to the United States to work mainly in agriculture, landscaping, construction and the service industry.”

Leticia Gutierrez of the Mexican Bishops’ Office of Migrant Ministry said kidnappings and violence against Central American immigrants have become more common place in Veracruz and other regions of Mexico.