Dear Representative: We write on behalf of the Committee on
Migration of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB/
COM), and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) to express our
opposition to H.R. 3003 and H.R. 3004. The Catholic Church holds a strong interest in the welfare
of migrants and how our nation welcomes and treats them. Our
parishes include those with and without immigration status,
unfortunately some who have witnessed or been victims of
crime in the United States, including domestic violence,
armed robbery, and assault. We understand the importance of
fostering cooperation and information-sharing between
immigrant communities and local law enforcement. We oppose H.R. 3003 because it would impose obligations on
local governments that we fear--and that many of them have
warned--would undermine authority and discretion of local law
enforcement. This, in turn, would hamper the ability of local
law enforcement officials to apprehend criminals and ensure
public safety in all communities. Furthermore, Section 2 of H.R. 3003 would deny to
jurisdictions vital federal funding related to law
enforcement, terrorism, national security, immigration, and
naturalization if those jurisdictions are deemed to be non-
compliant with H.R. 3003. The Catholic service network,
including Catholic Charities, works in partnership with the
federal government on a number of Department of Justice and
Department of Homeland Security initiatives, including
disaster response and recovery, naturalization and
citizenship services, and services for the immigrant,
including victims of human trafficking, and domestic
violence. These services are incredibly valuable to the
protection and promotion of the human person and in some
instances life-saving. Cutting grants related to these
important national objectives, or threat of such cuts, is not
humane or just, nor is it in our national interest.
Keywords matched
immigration migrants naturalization immigrant