Washington D.C., Feb 10, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says draft legislation, which would have barriers and walls constructed along the U.S.-Mexico border, would undermine U.S. commitments to protecting victims of foreign persecution and make the country less secure.
The immigration law, sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), is currently being debated in the House of Representatives.
According to a USCCB statement, the REAL ID Act would make changes in the area of asylum protection, the issuance of driver’s licenses and state identification cards. It would bring about the construction of barriers and walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and change the grounds for removal and admissibility of immigrants. The legislation would also restrict judicial review of certain types of immigration relief.
“In opposing the legislation, we strongly believe that its provisions would effectively weaken the protection of asylum, thus preventing victims of persecution from receiving its protections; undermine our national security; and promote unsound public policy,” said Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino in statement Feb. 9.