Archbishop Gomez on Immigration Policy

Last week, Archbishop José H. Gomez addressed delegates at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Denver, Colorado. He spoke about the immigration policy in America. I thought you might want to read Archbishop Gomez’s remarks.

Here’s an excerpt:

From a Catholic standpoint, America’s founders got it exactly right. Human rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are universal and inalienable. They come from God, not governments. And these rights are not contingent on where you are born or what racial or ethnic group you are born into.

The human right to life, the foundation of every other right, implies the natural right to emigrate. Because in order for you and your family to live a life worthy of your God-given dignity, certain things are required. At minimum: food, shelter, clothing, and the means to make a decent living.

If you and your family are unable to secure life’s necessities in your home country – due to political instability, economic distress, religious persecution, or other conditions that offend basic human dignity — you must be free to seek these things in another country.

Click here to read his whole speech.