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Mich. Catholic Bishops Call For Immigration Reform

LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan seven Catholic bishops are asking for major reforms in the country's immigration policy. The bishops said that immigrants who are here illegally are being treated badly, adding that the current policy is a violation of church teachings.

David Maluchnik, a spokesman for the Michigan Catholic Conference, said their aim "is to promote and give priority to reunification of families."

"There are many stories leading to the breakup of families," said Maluchnik. "There are parents who are deported from a country while their children are still infants. That is something that every American should be concerned about."

Maluchnik said the church teaches that every human being deserves dignity.

"Because of the federal government's failure to enact a cohesive federal policy on immigration, there is profound concern that the human dignity of immigrants is being violated across the board."

He said the bishops believe that isn't happening the way immigration law works.

"There are concerns about families being torn apart and they [the bishops] are concerned about failed federal policy that has led to many of the problems that immigrants are facing in this country today," said Maluchnik.

The bishops want federal lawmakers to pass federal bills offering a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron was among those who signed the statement, which is going to members of Michigan's congressional delegation, as well as all of the state's legislators.

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