Speech #CREC-2017-06-29-pt1-PgH5333_t55

Dear Representative Conyers: NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice stands in strong opposition to the ``No Sanctuary for Criminals Act'' (H.R. 3003) and ``Kate's Law'' (H.R. 3004) to be considered this week by the House of Representatives. We urge Congress to reject these bills. In a county that prides itself on being the land of welcome and opportunity, we must ensure that our immigration laws reflect our shared values. As Congress continues to delay comprehensive immigration reform and a permanent solution for the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants, we are left with the status quo--an enforcement-only approach that tears apart families and keeps people in the shadows. Despite the gridlock in Congress, localities across the country still have the responsibility to uphold safety and peace in their communities. To fulfill this goal, local police and residents have fostered mutual trust to root out crime and promote public safety, encouraging community members to cooperate with local authorities. The ``No Sanctuary for Criminals Act'' (H.R. 3003) does nothing to promote public safety and instead will make communities more dangerous while striking fear in the hearts of our immigrant families. Likewise, ``Kate's Law'' (H.R. 3004) would criminalize immigrants who simply want an opportunity to succeed in the United States, and often are simply trying to be reunited with their family. Punishing immigrants for wanting to provide for their families with fines and imprisonment is harsh and cruel--we, as a nation, are called to be better than that. Again, we ask Congress to abandon the ``enforcement first'' policies that have been the de facto U.S. strategy for nearly thirty years, yielding too many costs and too few results. Our antiquated system that does not accommodate the migration realities we face in our nation today does not serve our national interests and does not respect the basic human rights of migrants who come to this nation fleeing persecution or in search of employment for themselves and better living conditions for their children. Pope Francis cautions that ``migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity'' and he asks political leaders to create a new system, one that ``calls for international cooperation and a spirit of profound solidarity and compassion.'' This is a holy call to embrace hope over fear. Congress should recognize the God-given humanity of all individuals and uphold our sacred call to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger in our midst. Any action that further militarizes our borders, criminalizes assistance to immigrant communities, or weakens legal protection of refugees is neither just nor compatible with the values that we, as Americans, strive to uphold. Sincerely, Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.