CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich said he met last week with President Barack Obama and the two discussed immigration reform concerns.
The new leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago described the presidential meeting Sunday during his homily at St. Agnes of Bohemia Church on the city’s Southwest Side, the Chicago Sun-Times reported (https://bit.ly/1rMDw6Y). Cupich said he told the president that Obama’s executive action on immigration was a good “first step” toward immigration reform.
Under measures Obama announced last month, nearly 5 million immigrants living illegally in the U.S. will be eligible to avoid deportation and sign up for work permits.
“I told the president that the church is ready to help immigrants and provide security as the plan is being implemented. I wanted to tell you today about my discussion with the president so that you will know that you can count on me as a good friend of the immigrant community,” he said.
The archbishop and president also discussed possible confidentiality provisions so that information from immigrants who register for the protection isn’t used against them in the future, Cupich said. They also talked about those who might try to exploit immigrants by charging fees or giving false information, he said.
Cupich, 65, was installed at the archdiocese’s new archbishop last month, making him the spiritual leader of more than 2 million Catholics.
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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, https://www.suntimes.com/index
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