Orlando, Fla., May 10, 2007 / 10:24 am
Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando is urging Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill before the August recess.
In a message released May 1, the bishop urged lawmakers to pass the Security through Regularized Immigration and Vibrant Economy Act of 2007, known as STRIVE. The bipartisan bill (H.R. 1645) was introduced by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) and Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).
His message, published in the Sentinel, said the STRIVE is on the whole encouraging and moves the immigration debate in the right direction
The bill "comports well with the principles needed for a just and humane immigration-reform bill," the bishop wrote. It promotes family reunification and has a realistic plan for bringing undocumented immigrants out of the shadows, the bishop noted.