LETTER TO THE EDITOR
We, the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our associates, feel compelled to respond to the terror and confusion being experienced by immigrant communities in our country today.
With many Catholic bishops who have written pastoral letters and op-eds, or who have taken direct action to appeal at ICE offices, we join the call to advocate for a humane solution to our very broken immigration system.
At this time of crisis and anger, we must decide what kind of country we want to be. Most of us, regardless of political affiliation, agree that our borders must be protected and that criminals or people intending harm be kept out. But most who are here without documentation have jobs and families, pay taxes, and contribute to the community as good neighbors, not “vicious criminals.” Many were considered “essential workers” during COVID.
Let us put our time and energy into working together to fix our broken immigration system, rather than spending millions annually on demonizing, arresting, and detaining our neighbors in inhumane centers like “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Finally, let us pray for Congress, that they may do “the work of the people” in a way that our own hope-filled immigrant ancestors would approve.
Sister Mary Catherine Redmond, President of the Congregation
New Windsor, NY, Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
