Denver, Colo., Jun 2, 2009 / 17:02 pm
Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has announced that he will join two U.S. Representatives in sponsoring an open forum to discuss immigration reform on June 13. “We need to get down to the practical steps of changing our immigration laws in a sane and positive way – now,” said Chaput.
The Archbishop, along with Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) will engage in a discussion on immigration reform at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Northglenn, Colorado.
In a column published by the Denver Catholic Register, Chaput clearly stated the problem to be addressed: “Our immigration policies are outdated, and our immigration laws too often don’t conform to reality or our nation’s real needs.”
Archbishop Chaput described current situation faced by millions undocumented immigrants as a “legal Twilight Zone.” This situation is “morally inexcusable,” he said, noting that the vast majority of these individuals are hard working, law-abiding individuals, many of whom have families threatened by the current immigration system.