STATEMENT BY MOST REVEREND NICHOLAS DIMARZIO
BISHOP OF BROOKLYN
IMMIGRANT WORKERS FREEDOM RIDE
FLUSHING MEADOWS PARK
OCT. 4, 2003

     I am privileged to be here today to celebrate with you the strong contributions that immigrants make to our nation and to pledge the solidarity of the Catholic Church with the struggle of the immigrant for justice in our land.  We are now at the end of a journey which has taken the plight of immigrants to many local communities across the country, a “freedom ride” which has highlighted the basic human dignity and human rights of newcomers to the United States.  However, these “freedom rides” mark the beginning of a longer journey which we must undertake together and without fear, the journey toward basic reform of our nation’s immigration laws so that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, may become full members of our society who enjoy the full protection of the law.

     In January, the U.S. and Mexican bishops issued a historical joint pastoral letter which called upon both U.S. and Mexican officials to reengage in bilateral migration talks.  It also called upon President Bush and Congress to move toward reform of our immigration laws, laws which are outmoded and do not correspond to the reality of migration to our land.  Every aspect of our immigration system must be revised.  The family visa system must be revamped so that families can remain together and not be separated for years on end.  The employment-based visa system should be examined to ensure that future flows of workers are protected and legal.  And, of course, a broad-based legalization must be enacted to allow those here to “come out of the shadows” and become full, participating members of the American family.

     The reality is that our current system is immoral.  While many may condemn the presence of the undocumented in our land, we willingly accept their hard labor, their contributions to our economy, and their cultural and religious spirit which enriches our local communities.  While we accept these contributions, we do so at the expense of the human beings who come here—not to harm us but to help us.  They are often ridiculed, exploited, and abused.  This must stop, and this immoral system must be changed.

     The Church will continue to stand with the migrant in their struggle for justice until it is achieved.  We are all one people in the eyes of God, imbued with basic human dignity and human rights which should, and must, be respected.  We should not give in to the prevailing view that newcomers are a threat to our nation, but we should honor our tradition as a nation of immigrants, a tradition which has helped make this country great.

     I applaud the organizers of this event and to all who participated.  We must not let this spirit rest here, but, together, carry it to the halls of Congress and the White House and to all Americans of good will.  We will not rest until justice is won.  God bless you.

News Releases