Council Voices

June 28, 2013 — RALEIGH,NC With the U.S. Senate’s passage of S.744 – comprehensive immigration reform – yesterday was a historic day for all North Carolinians. Immigrants are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, our economy, and our state. Passage of this bill at long last moves us toward modernizing our antiquated immigration […]

The questions surrounding immigration policy have sparked an intense debate across the United States and North Carolina. Society remains divided on specific policies, but we also remain divided about some of the even bigger questions. For example, what does it mean to be “American”? Are immigrants generally intruders to be feared or new neighbors to […]

In five or ten years, will we look back to the summer of 2013 as the moment when politicians from both parties stepped up to the plate, demonstrated real bipartisan leadership, and passed the most sweeping comprehensive immigration reform in more than a generation? Or will we look back and shake our heads at what […]

This past week, the Nuns on the Bus national tour made stops in Durham and Charlotte to raise awareness about the need for just and humane immigration reform. In Durham, the Nuns visited the office of Church World Service, an amazing nonprofit that resettles refugees here in America.

I had the wonderful privilege of sitting down with Bishop Michael Curry to discuss this critical moment in the struggle for humane immigration reform. Millions of immigrant families are living in the shadows, afraid to drive to work or drop their children off at school. Here in North Carolina, thousands of children live with the constant fear that today could be the day that their parents don’t make it home. Immigrants are our brothers and sisters, and when one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer with it. That’s why it’s so crucial for faith communities to publicly support the US Senate’s immigration bill.

Nuns on the Bus – a 6,500 mile odyssey exploring the need for humane immigration reform – is coming to North Carolina during May 31-June 1.

Nuns on the Bus were welcomed last year by thousands of well wishers as they traveled from state to state in support of of federal budget priorities that address the needs of struggling families. This year, they are traveling across the Unite States–6,500 miles over 15 states–53 events in 40 cities–standing with immigrants, faith-filled activists, community organizations, and Catholic sisters who serve immigrant communities.

Their message is clear: Congress must act now to implement commonsense immigration policies that reflect our values, not our fears.

Now is the time to demand that North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan stand on the right side of history and publicly support the Senate’s immigration reform bill.

Call 1-888-891-3271 and ask Senator Burr and Senator Hagan to publicly support immigration reform.