On immigrants...of every kind

Dear CIOT Participants,

We will explore the Church's teaching and its implications as we break open this current topic. Sr. Peggy Bonnot from El Puente, who performs advocacy work for immigrants in central Missouri, will lend her voice and experience to the conversation. Immigrants from all cultures are welcome to attend and share their experiences.

The issues of immigration are manifold and complex. We can begin with a segue from last months topic, examining the effect of immigration on health care.

To get some idea of the numbers involved you can go to the immigration clock.

Business week discusses some of the economic impact.

The Bishops can be heard at Catholic Online:

• http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=21426; and
• http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=24273.

But to get serious about discussing the issue you need to explore two web sites, each has multiple interesting links:

• http://justiceforimmigrants.org
• http://www.miracoalition.org - and an interfaith approach

If everyone will just read one article from each that interests them, you can guarantee a lively discussion.