Bipartisan Efforts Seek Solution for Immigration Challenges Facing Faith Leaders
Faith leaders across America are expressing hope that a new bipartisan bill, introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House, will address immigration issues that have complicated their work in communities for over two years.
In March 2023, the Biden administration made significant changes to the process for green cards affecting religious workers and abused minors. This shift has caused delays that threaten the status of many pastors, nuns, and other faith leaders vital to their congregations across the nation.
The proposed legislation aims to tackle a specific aspect of this challenge, providing lawmakers with a better chance for its passage in a politically divided environment. Faith leaders assert that even a limited solution could help prevent further losses and allow them to refocus on their community services.
Rev. Aaron Wessman, a key figure in the Glenmary Home Missioners, a small Catholic order serving rural areas, voiced the urgent need for change. “Without this change, our community is slowly being strangled,” he stated, emphasizing the emotional impact this legislation would have on those dealing with uncertainty.
Two-thirds of Glenmary’s younger priests and brothers are foreign-born, primarily hailing from countries such as Kenya, Mexico, and Uganda, and they too are affected by the current immigration complications.
Similar situations are faced by thousands of religious workers from various faith traditions across the country, all of whom provide crucial support to their communities. While precise numbers are difficult to ascertain, many religious workers currently remain stuck in the green card backlog or haven’t even been able to apply.
Understanding Green Card Processes and Current Backlogs
Many religious workers come to the U.S. under temporary R-1 visas, allowing them to work for up to five years. During this period, congregations can petition for green cards under a special EB-4 category. Unfortunately, the surge in applications, especially from Central America, has overwhelmed the system, resulting in significant backlogs.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has indicated that the surge in applications has contributed to these delays, with many applicants facing lengthy waits.
The current bills in Congress aim to permit the Department of Homeland Security to extend the visas of religious workers while their green card applications are processed. This change would also allow small job transitions to occur without jeopardizing pending applications.
Senator Tim Kaine, who introduced the bill in the Senate, expressed hope that the significant stakeholder support would lead to its successful passage. Republican Senators Susan Collins and Jim Risch, who joined in co-sponsoring the bill, have also highlighted the importance of foreign clergy in enhancing community life.
Republican Rep. Mike Carey is pushing for identical legislation in the House, emphasizing the bill’s simplicity, stating it only seeks to extend the time on current visas without increasing the green card quota.
The Importance of Foreign-Born Religious Leaders
Religious communities are in dire need of foreign-born clergy to reach growing non-English-speaking congregations and to fill existing clergy shortages. The number of Catholic priests in the U.S. has seen a sharp decline over the past few decades.
There have been legal challenges raised, particularly by the Diocese of Paterson, which seeks to protect the rights of foreign-born priests who play crucial roles in their parishes.
As the bills move through legislative channels, many are hopeful that this will lead to a resolution that supports both congregations and the faith leaders who serve them. The sense of urgency remains high, as communities cannot afford to wait indefinitely for a resolution to these pressing immigration challenges.
