Petition: Our Faith in Action – Keep Our Clergy in the U.S.
We, the undersigned, call on the United States Congress to act swiftly to pass S. 1298 in the Senate and H.R. 2672 in the House, legislation that will protect our priests, religious sisters, and other religious workers from unjust deportation due to visa processing delays.
Recently, a change in U.S. immigration policy created a crisis for our faith communities. Previously, religious workers could remain in the U.S. while their visa renewals were processed, allowing them to continue their sacred work in our parishes. Now, due to significant backlogs in visa processing, many face the expiration of their initial visas and are forced to leave the country for at least one year, with no guarantee of reentry. This policy uproots our spiritual leaders, disrupts their ministries, and weakens the faith communities that depend on their guidance and service.
S. 1298 and H.R. 2672 offer a compassionate and practical solution by allowing religious workers affected by visa processing delays to remain in the U.S. while their renewals are pending. These bills are essential to ensuring that our priests and sisters can continue their vital work without interruption.
We urge Congress to:
1. Bring S. 1298 and H.R. 2672 to a vote as soon as possible.
2. Vote YES on these bills to protect our religious workers and keep them in our communities.
Our faith calls us to act with compassion, justice, and unity. By passing S. 1298 and H.R. 2672, Congress can honor the contributions of our religious workers and ensure they remain where they are needed most: in our parishes, guiding us in faith and service.
Share this petition with your parish, family, and friends to amplify our voice. Learn more about S. 1298 and H.R. 2672 and how to contact your representatives at www.ourfaithinaction.info. #OurFaithInAction