Title

Debating Immigration Law in the Midst of Exile

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-13-2018

Abstract

Recognizing the pressing needs of refugees at our nation’s borders, the 2018 Sister Mary Schmidt, S.C. lecture at Seton Hill University proposes to re-examine Catholic Social Thought and the biblical narrative in seeking new responses to refugees and immigrants. After reviewing United States immigration law in the light of the biblical narrative and Catholic Social Thought, the lecture argues against deportation and private detention as a state remedy to unauthorized immigration or as a deterrent to asylum applicants. Relying upon the framework of the Seton Hill University Centennial in 2018, the lecture recalls that deportation did not arise as a significant remedy for violations of immigration law until 1918. Through understanding the biblical narrative within its context of exile, the lecture urges people of faith to work towards eliminating deportation and private detention as our mission in the century ahead.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS