USCCB Chair applauds passage of Immigration Reform Bill out of committee; urges full Senate to begin debate as soon as possible

(Headquarters building for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington D.C.)

Committee process and vote show strong bipartisan support
U.S. bishops will try to improve bill as process moves on
Path to citizenship, family immigration remain strong priorities

WASHINGTON - Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, today applauded approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, legislation which would reform the nation's immigration system.

"This is an important step in the legislative process," he said May 22, the day after the committee vote.  "I applaud Chairman Patrick Leahy and the committee members for their efforts and strong bipartisan cooperation,"  said Atchbishop Gomez.  The Senate panel considered over 150 amendments during the process.

Read the complete USCCB news release>