For more information and facts, visit the "Justice for Immigrants" section of the United States Catholic Bishops web site: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/

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Being an immigrant is not easy. U.S. immigration policy, while generous, is far from unlimited. People often complain that undocumented workers should just “get in line” for a visa, but there really is no line: only 5,000 visas are available for low-skilled workers each year. People may immigrate based only on very close family ties, employer sponsorship, or refugee protection. Families wait years for reunification. A lawful permanent resident faces a wait of more than 5 years to be joined by their spouse. The myth of “anchor babies” conferring status on their undocumented parents is simply untrue – only U.S. citizens who are over age 21 can petition to immigrate their parents.

Source: Advocates for Human Rights, 2009

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Being an immigrant is not easy. Migration is often driven by certain factors, including human rights violations, beyond the migrant’s control. U.S. immigration law allows a small fraction of the world’s refugees to seek safety here, but those fleeing economic human rights violations are left out of the refugee protection system, which provides a safe haven only for those fleeing persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion.

Source: Advocates for Human Rights, 2009

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Being an immigrant is not easy. Learning a new culture, new laws, and new language are major challenges to anyone new to the country. The development of English proficiency among non-English speaking immigrants today mirrors that of nineteenth and early twentieth century immigration, when masses of Italian, German, and Eastern European immigrants came to America. While first generation, non-English speaking immigrants predictably have lower rates of English proficiency than native speakers, 91% of second generation immigrants are fluent or near fluent English speakers. By the third generation, 97% speak English fluently or near fluently.

 Source: USCCB Justice for Immigrants, 2010

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Just click to view other resources on immigration: 

* Catholic teaching about immigration reform
* Prayer for Immigrants
* Facebook for Wisconsin Catholic Sisters
* United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
* S. Joyce Quintana's "questions to ponder"