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Washington, DC - In a June 3 meeting with White House Officials a letter was delivered to President Obama from more than 40 Franciscan organizations calling him to strong leadership to help pass comprehensive immigration reform. The letter was facilitated and delivered by Franciscan Action Network (FAN), a grassroots efforts of the Franciscan family in the U.S. to achieve a more effective collective voice on public policy.

Franciscans represent a religious order within the Christian tradition which traces their inspiration from St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and their early followers, dating back more than 800 years. Their various branches represent the largest religious order in the Catholic Church, and there are also Franciscans in the Anglican / Episcopal tradition and other Christian and Protestant denominations. Through their work in parishes, schools, hospitals, social service organizations, and a myriad of other ministries, Franciscans witness and minister to thousands of immigrant persons who are destroyed by the current immigration system. In their letter, the leaders state,

"Many members of our communities, congregations, and orders minister directly with immigrant families. We witness to their victimization through the current policy. We believe that as a nation of immigrants, immigrants contribute to the wellbeing of our nation through their skills, talents, hard work, and values. At the present time, their lives are filled with fear and the assurance of family life together is threatened."

Franciscan Action Network Interim Executive Director, Fr. Larry Janezic, OFM, when commenting on the Franciscan Leader’s letter, said, "Our immigrant brothers and sisters are scapegoated as the cause of numerous problems in our nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. We hope that the Franciscan spirit of balance and reconciliation contained in the letter to President Obama can be a small part to helping immigrants achieve the justice required for all persons."

The Franciscans communities and Franciscan Action Network are committed to continue their work for comprehensive immigration reform.