San José, Costa Rica, Jul 2, 2011 / 16:40 pm
A group of North and Central American bishops say their governments must take responsibility for the legal protection of migrants.
“We continue to witness great suffering among migrants in our countries and regions,” the bishops wrote in their June 30 statement. They said these migrants frequently experience exploitation and abuse from public officials, employers and crime organizations.
While acknowledging their governments' right to establish laws, the bishops said any law that separates migrant families or threatens life must be abolished for being “unjust and inhuman.” They placed special emphasis on the protection of migrant families, women and children.
The group of Catholic bishops from the North and Central American regions and the Caribbean released the statement after a June 2011 meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica.