Justice for Immigrants is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and invites all people of good faith to learn and speak out on behalf of refugees fleeing for their lives. 

The U.S. House of Representatives, House Judicary Committee is considering a bill that would restrict refugee resettlement, refuse entry to famlies fleeing ISIS and civil war.  In addition, this legislation would, for the first time in U.S. history allow states to ‘veto’ resettlement restricting the free movement of persons between states (this is likely unconstitutional).   All this despite the fact that refugees are carefully vetted before entering the U.S.  How absurd that a nation of immigrants would consider this action out of fear.  My own representative Lynn Westmoreland wrote to me saying that the suspicion that one Paris terrorist possibly had a refugee passport (just the suspicion) leads him to want to restrict refugee resettlement.  How cowardly we have become when we turn away thousands fleeing for their lives out of fear that one potential terrorist might somehow, someway get in.  Where has the Greatest Generation gone, they are not in Washington now.

We should stand up to this silliness as Germany is doing and speak out against such an unjust and most likely unconstitutional law.  It is most likely an election year ploy, but this is a crazy election year indeed.  Please go to this link to see how your voice can be heard: Justice for Immigrants – Refugee Resettlement

Refugees from war and ISIS deserve our respect and service.  A wide range of institutions struggle to serve their daily needs including Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Internationalis, Doctors Without Borders, UNHCR, and many others.  Pope Francis in a public act of love will wash the feet of refugees on Holy Thursday, see Pope Francis to Wash Refugee’s Feet. Pope Francis calls the world to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  It is time that we put our fear aside and emulate the faith hope and love that have always been the hallmark of people of good will and of true Christianity.  

The refugee situation in Greece, the Western Balkans and Europe is getting worse, just as more are attempting to flee the war and persecution by ISIS and other terrorists groups.  What seems to be constantly lost in the politics, planning and reporting is that these are real human beings.  They are caught between certain or likely death and running for their lives.  Partially or completely closing borders might alleviate a migration problem but those actions put the refugee’s lives at risk.  Trading innocent lives for “secure borders” is simply immoral.  The Economist describes the latest governmental actions:

Economist – Hard lines: Greece’s migrant bottleneck

#SyrianRefugeeCrisis #RefugeeCrisis

 

 The breaking news this morning is that it is possible that a “Provisional Ceasefire” may be in reach in Syria’s civil war.  This comes just a few days after news reports of up to 50,000 more people fleeing Syria; many from Aleppo which is now almost completely surrounded by the Assad forces.  The announcement of the potential ceasefire came just hours ago: Provisional Ceasefire in Syria Possible.

Those remaining will depend on the ceasefire so that food and other humanitarian aid can be provided.  In this war, smaller towns and villages have been besieged and residents have starved. See this report for more on that: Syrians Starving.

The 50,000 (or more) Aleppo residents who have fled will join the long line of refugees that now stretches from Syria to Northern Europe. Humanitarian agencies like Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, Doctors Without Borders and others are working around the clock to help and protect our fellow human beings who are escaping war and persecution.  Their resources are not unlimited.  As part of your 2016 Lent and/or out of compassion for those in need consider giving to these agencies who are representing the best of Christianity and America.  @CatholicRelief #RefugeeCrisis