CAMDEN – As executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference, James King is well-aware that comprehensive immigration reform is a divisive issue.
However, he says, “especially as Catholics, we can’t get caught up in the vilifying and demonizing of the other position. I say that for those on both sides. We have to really try to see Christ in the other, and let that guide our actions and even our words on this issue.”
King was among the dozens of community and religious leaders to attend a prayer service and discussion on immigration Jan. 13 at Saint Lucy’s Church in Newark. With the new presidential administration expected to address the issue of immigration within the first 100 days of taking office, the U.S. bishops have been reiterating their steadfast position on human dignity and a just reform of the nation’s immigration policies.
“I’ve spoken to people who say they struggle with the Church’s position on comprehensive immigration reform, and they quite often say, ‘We’re not against immigration; we’re not against people coming to the United States,” King said. “What it primarily comes down to is their concern for safety, and that’s a legitimate concern. The Church has always recognized the right of a nation to protect its borders. That’s part of our teaching on comprehensive immigration reform.
“At the same time, you have to look at the struggles that the people who are coming to this country face in their homelands. I always say comprehensive immigration reform is indeed comprehensive. We’re not just talking about finding a pathway to citizenship or legalization for undocumented immigrants. We’re trying to address a whole range of issues, including working with the countries of origin on what’s forcing these people to flee their land – be it gang violence, drug trafficking, poverty.
“Just as much as we have a right to protect our borders, individuals have a right to stay in their homeland,” King said.
Immigration has been a longstanding legislative and policy priority for the NJCC, the public policy arm of New Jersey’s Catholic bishops, as well as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
After listening to those of various immigrant communities at Saint Lucy’s Church voice their fear of deportation, revoked temporary protected status and more, King noted that “there’s concern, regardless of legal status, about how this could impact them and their families.”
“I think people overlook that comprehensive immigration reform doesn’t just impact those who are undocumented. It impacts legal immigrants as well. There is a percentage of documented immigrants that are mistakenly detained,” he said.
King offers advice when researching, discussing and praying on immigration and comprehensive reform: don’t look at the issue in the abstract.
“Really look at the person. See Christ in everyone,” he said. “This is a very explicit teaching of Christ – welcoming the stranger. We’re going to be judged on how we treated the poor, the vulnerable.”
With the meeting in Newark coming only a week before the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., King asked, “How can we, as Church, say we need to protect family unity and parental rights, but then support policies that essentially are seeking to tear families apart?”
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