The foundation for FAN’s work on Immigration is found in scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Franciscan tradition and values. Welcoming the stranger is a mandate in the Hebrew Scriptures. In the 25th chapter of Matthew, the Last Judgment, Jesus teaches that we must welcome the stranger: “For I was…a stranger and you welcomed me.” Francis of Assisi went beyond his borders to visit a stranger, the Sultan Malek al-Kamil who influenced Francis, as Francis impressed the Sultan.
In collaboration with other organizations, especially with the Justice for Immigrants Campaign (JFI) of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC), FAN advocates in Washington, DC and in many states for immigration reform that includes a path to earned citizenship that is clear, compassionate and achievable, and focuses on keeping families together. Additionally, we advocate for programs and policies which address the root causes of migration, including climate change, poverty, and extreme violence.
Many FAN members place a high priority on working for reform of the broken U.S. immigration system and addressed the issue before the Franciscan Action Network was created. Some members work directly with immigrant communities, some have a presence at detention centers, and many advocate for a reasonable, clear and achievable pathway to citizenship which prioritizes family unity.
Washington, DC 20017