“First, persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland — people have a right to find work and work that provides a just, living wage is a basic human need. Second, persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families — the goods of the earth belong to all peoples. When life sustaining employment cannot be found in their country of origin, people have the right to migrate and nations should provide ways to accommodate this right. Third, sovereign nations have the right to control their borders — while granting this right of control, such control is rejected when it is exerted merely for the purpose of acquiring additional wealth. Fourth, Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection — those who flee persecution have a right to claim refugee status without incarceration. Fifth, the human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected — regardless of their legal status, migrants, like all human beings, possess inherent human dignity and that dignity should be respected.”
Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego will be the presider for the Migration Mass, which will emphasize the importance of being a welcoming church community to all who migrate to the United States.