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 Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, the federal court ruled on the Arizona state law meant to address the issue of immigration between the United States and Mexico. Because of legal challenges to the law and the concerns of many including our Church, key provisions allowing police to inquire about Arizona residents' immigration status will not go into effect for the time being.
Senate Bill 1070 has ignited passionate feelings and sharply differing points of view. It has pulled us unfortunately into a battle of ideologies when we should be focused on how to fix an immigration system that both sides acknowledge is broken.
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 by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony
Archbishop of Los Angeles
July 12, 2010 - The recent enactment of Senate Bill 1070 in Arizona has rekindled the national debate on the status of immigrants in our country and drawn attention to the glaring gap in effective immigration regulation.
Unfortunately, far more heat than light is being generated in the national debate. In discussing immigration reform with many individuals and groups, I am surprised to learn that there is a greater level of unity among Americans on most of the key elements of immigration reform—actual common ground. When presented with each element of an immigration reform package, I have found people far more sympathetic to the various proposals than I had imagined. These are some of the key elements of an all-inclusive reform package:
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 Cooperation among governments in region, economic development key factors; U.S. should afford legal protection to foreign workers
WASHINGTON—Participants at the Catholic bishops’ Regional Consultation on Migration in Washington, June 2-4 issued a joint statement calling for protection, hospitality, service and justice to immigrants throughout the hemisphere.
The bishops called attention to several issues that should be addressed on a regional level, such as the promotion of sustainable economic development in the hemisphere, violence and drug smuggling, human trafficking, protection of migrants, refugees and other vulnerable population, and special assistance to Haiti.
They also called upon the Congress of the United States and the Obama Administration to affirm the country’s tradition as a nation of immigrants and “reform U.S. immigration law to allow migrants who work hard in the U.S. economy to enjoy the benefits of legal protection.”
“This reform would preclude the need to impose criminal penalties on persons not lawfully admitted,” said the bishops. “It also would end deportations of family members and the breakup of families.”
The meeting congregated Catholic bishops and staff of Catholic agencies working with migrants in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Also present were Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People and representatives from the Latin American Council of Bishops’ Conferences (CELAM).
Full text of statement follows:
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 May 19, 2010 -- On behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), we welcome the visit of Mexican President Felipe Calderon to the United States. The relationship between the United States and Mexico is extremely important, with mutual cooperation and understanding paramount. We pray that this visit will strengthen the political and policy-based relationship of the two leaders and their countries.
La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) y la Conferencia del Episcopado Mexicano (CEM) vemos con satisfacción la visita del mandatario mexicano Felipe Calderón a Estados Unidos. La cooperación y el entendimiento mutuo son de suma importancia en la relación de ambos estados. Elevamos nuestras oraciones para que esta visita fortalezca la relación política de ambos líderes y las naciones que gobiernan.
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 During Catholic Lobby Day, Francisco Herrera brought his unique brand of advocacy through music to the hundreds of participants. Many arch/dioceses around the state have worked with him in bringing a message of hope and empowerment to immigrant communities and individuals. This is the story of his ministry and journey for justice.
For over thirty-five years, Francisco Herrera has used music to promote social justice. Viewing music as a public art, his original compositions and translations of traditional songs echo off walls of churches, schools, plazas and buildings flanked by picket lines. The music provides empowering hope for California's migrant community and a message of solidarity.
From his youth in the border town of Calexico, Francisco's early musical expressions incorporated traditional rancheras and mariachi, with the electric vibes of a garage rock band. He was drawn to use music as a voice for social justice and traveled extensively in Latin America to work with community organizers. His life's work has been devoted to the community as a cultural worker, community organizer, singer and song writer proclaiming the principles of Catholic social teaching in word and deed.
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