Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) – “In these times that are so difficult for immigrants and their families, we ask that God may enlighten the minds and hearts of the nations’ leaders who have taken up unsupportive attitudes, that they may begin offering immigrants humane and dignified treatment,” read a statement issued by the Pastoral Office for Human Mobility of the Guatemalan Bishops’ Conference, in light of the recent actions and decisions carried out by the European Community and the United States of America regarding immigrants.
The Bishops firstly express their “solidarity, moral and spiritual support to all those immigrants who are currently suffering persecutions, arrests, and deportations in the United States,” as well as “those who despairingly await the laws and xenophobic policies that violate fundamental human rights in the European Union.” As representatives of the Church, they manifest their concern for the fact that these nations have chosen to adopt “repressive and incriminating dispositions towards thousands of undocumented persons who in clandestine circumstances contribute to the economy of their countries of origin and those to which they immigrate.” The Bishops also denounce the round-ups and massive deportations of Guatemalans from the United States and Mexico, as “these attitudes of hostility and persecution are by no means a solution to the immigration problem; they are counterproductive and inhumane.”
The Bishops say that in light of this situation, what are most urgently needed are “that the necessary governmental means are taken in the reinsertion of deported workers and an authentic plan of reception, attention, and integration into society and the workplace for deported Guatemalans.”
In the case of the proposed “Return Directive,” which is under heated debate in the European Union, they refer to the initiative as “excessively restrictive and it does not sufficiently ensure respect of human rights for immigrants, as it establishes such procedures as the possibility of being detained for up to 18 months in detainment centers for foreigners (without having ever committed a crime).” There is also an established rule that “once discovered” (the immigrants in hiding), they will be given a period of 7-30 days’ time in order to voluntarily leave the country.” The immigrants that have been expelled, “will be prohibited from legally entering territory of the European Union for 5 years’ time.”
In light of this situation, the Bishops of Guatemala are asking that “the nations of the European Union, the United States, and Mexico, may reflect and act with solidarity and without prejudice against immigrants that because of desperate situations (poverty, unemployment, insecurity, natural disasters, war, etc.) have left their own countries in order to survive and maintain their physical integrity.” They also ask immigrants to “remain firm in the face of these trials and to maintain unity and solidarity in the struggle against such adversities.” They ask the government in Guatemala to “react with authentic attitudes and policies of immediate attention for deportees.” Lastly, the Bishops ask that the Central American Community and the Central American Integration System (SICA) “adopt common policies in light of the dispositions of the European Community, so that united with common interests they may influence the European Union as a block and call them on to a serious reflection on the treatment of immigrants.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)
