Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “We, the representatives of the Caritas Network in Latin America and the Caribbean unite in making an appeal to the European Parliament and to our representatives in the European Union governing bodies, asking that they desist in the tendency to criminalize immigrants and expel those persons with irregular situations,” said the statement from Caritas of Latin America and the Caribbean that was signed by President Bishop Fernando Bargalló and Fr. Jose Antonio Sandoval, Executive Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Secretariat of Caritas (SELACC).
The statement was issued following the European Parliament’s June 18 approval of the “Return Directive” that allows undocumented migrants to be held in detention centers for up to 18 months and banned from European Union territory for five years.
“We categorically oppose that immigrants in an irregular situation be considered delinquents, favoring their expulsion, limiting their freedom, and prohibiting their entrance,” the SELACC representatives stated. They are especially opposed to the fact that such restrictions can be applied to minors, as well.
“Our religious traditions teach us to welcome our brothers and sisters with love. Every day we witness the suffering of immigrant families who have lost their loved ones, who have died at sea, or immigrants themselves who have suffered exploitation in the workplace or abuse from human traffickers,” the statement proceeded. They also warn that if the immigration problem is not addressed in its entirety, “the Latin American, African, and Asian immigrants now being expelled will return in the years to come, if the living conditions in their country do not change and substantially improve.”
Thus, the appeal is being made to the European Parliament, asking that they now take measures in working together with the immigrants’ native countries, so as to promote the just and balanced creation and development of employment; offering better opportunities to those immigrants already contributing in the European workforce, so that they may come out from “hiding” and stabilize their immigration situation according to reasonable criteria; reducing the waiting period for families in being reunited; regulating the legal process so that employees can work in a more secure, legal, and orderly fashion; and implement security policies on the borders that are in accordance with human rights.
“As organizations and networks based on religion, solidarity, and charity, we ask that attention be given to this ethical dimension of the European Directive and that policies be established that protect the human dignity of all persons.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/7/2008)
