Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Image courtesy of brownstoner.com
On Tuesday night, Catholic Migration Services, Catholic Charities of Rockville Centre, and the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby (NETWORK) hosted a panel discussion on immigration at St. John the Baptist in Bushwick.
40 parishioners and Bushwick residents gathered to hear panelists Sister Mary Ellen Lacy, lobbyist for NETWORK, Amy Lazarus of Catholic Charities Rockville Centre, and Megan Helbling, immigration counselor at Catholic Migration Services. Father Joe Cummins, pastor at St. John the Baptist, moderated the panel, conducted in English and Spanish.
Sister Mary Ellen gave the audience a historical overview of immigration law and policy in the United States. She also discussed the possibility of immigration reform, and what it might look like based on the U.S. Senate’s immigration bill, currently under consideration by Congress.
Amy Lazarus of Catholic Charities Rockville Centre spoke on the rights of an undocumented immigrant if detained or arrested by police or immigration officials. Finally, CMS’ own Megan Helbling discussed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a policy that offers undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children work authorization and protection from deportation that can be renewed every two years.
Following the presentation, the audience–consisting largely of Caribbean and Latino immigrants–engaged in a lively Q&A with the panelists. CMS’ Megan Helbling will be returning to St. John the Baptist on May 23 to assist those interested in applying for DACA. To make an appointment, please contact Megan at 347-472-3500 ext. 113 or mhelbling@catholicmigration.org.
