Michael Stafford: It’s time for comprehensive immigration reform

MoonHowler

Guest contributor:  Michael Stafford, author of An Upward Calling: Politics for the Common Good.

Part 1

In January, 2010, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (“USCCB”) launched a campaign in support of comprehensive immigration reform urging “Congress to take up as its next priority comprehensive immigration reform that would reunite families, regularize the status of an estimated 12 million people in this country illegally and restore due process protections for immigrants.” The effort, although ultimately unsuccessful, was joined by leaders of other faith communities.

The USCCB’s call to action on this issue ought to be renewed.  Simply put, comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to legality (“earned legalization”) for some of our nation’s millions of illegal immigrants is long overdue.  It is also my hope that the effort to reform our nation’s immigration laws will enjoy bipartisan support that transcends the bitter divisions so prevalent in politics today.

America’s immigration laws should serve our national interest while, at the same time, respecting the inherent human dignity of immigrants. These two principles complement one another. Our current, antiquated system does neither well. A pathway to legal status for some of our unauthorized immigrants must be a piece of any comprehensive immigration reform. At the same time, our federal government has a duty to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws. An “earned legalization” program would not subvert these critical goals; on the contrary, it would further them.

Read More

Michael Stafford: It’s time for comprehensive immigration reform part 2

MoonHowler

Guest contributor:  Michael Stafford, author of An Upward Calling: Politics for the Common Good

Part 2

Comprehensive immigration reform that includes both an “earned legalization” program and improved enforcement of our immigration laws would likely enjoy broad support. According to polling done over the past several years, a majority of Americans support the development of an earned legalization program done in conjunction with enhanced border security and internal enforcement. Polls show that a majority of Republican, Democratic and Independent voters support reform. At the same time, when given a choice, a majority favor “earned legalization” programs over an “enforcement-only” approach.  This support for comprehensive reform has stayed consistent over time.  As such, comprehensive reform that includes an “earned legalization” program would command legitimacy. 3

The absence of realistic alternatives also weighs heavily in favor of comprehensive reform and earned legalization.  A massive round-up and deportation of the millions of unauthorized immigrants in the United States is not feasible from a practical perspective- as Sen. John McCain observed in 2006, “it would take 200,000 buses extending along a 1700 mile long line to deport 11 million people”- and would, if carried out, lead to immense human suffering and disruption to our own economy.  It would also entail the disruption of well-established family units, the deportation of heads of households, and the removal of many United States citizen children born to undocumented parents.

Read More

Catholic U to phase out co-ed dorms

MoonHowler

From the Washington Times:

Officials at Catholic University say the early response to their plan to phase out coed dorms has been highly favorable, but not every college student is anxious to see the move become a trend.

“I think if my school even attempted to introduce this measure, there would be riots,” said University of Cincinnati graphic-design major Elishia Candelaresi.

Ms. Candelaresi said that although she supports the option of single-sex dorms, she also cherishes her right to choose.

“I feel that it’s important to give people a choice on how they want to live their life and also to realize that you can’t just protect and shelter people their whole lives because then they never learn how to control themselves,” she said.

Are we still having this 40-year old discussion?  First off, I am surprised Catholic U has co-ed dorms.  Secondly, what is the attraction of co-ed dorms?  Don’t young people like privacy any more? 

I seriously doubt that co-ed dorms really affect anyone’s morality.  However, there is just something sort of comforting about being able to sit around in your shabby old robe or nightgown when you aren’t in class.  What is the attraction of co-ed dorms?