Immigration Authorities Check on Foreign Priests

By Ed Wilkinson

The Diocesan Migration Office has been visited several times this past year by federal immigration agents checking up on the work of foreign-born priests in the diocese.

While the inquiries are routine, diocesan immigration officials want everyone to know they are happening and that such visits could occur in other diocesan sites such as rectories and schools.

The Diocesan Migration Office sponsored a workshop Dec. 6 at St. Patrick’s, Bay Ridge, to inform priests and parish leaders about what to expect and how to handle the visitations.

“We’re doing this to help people observe the law,” said Msgr. Ronald Marino, director of the Migration Office. “We’re not trying to help people shirk the laws.

“The Church respects the law. We uphold the laws of the United States.”

These follow-up checks are occurring because of the anti-terrorist atmosphere since 9/11/01, said Samson Koyonda, a staff attorney at the Migration Office.

“You cannot hire anyone who is not authorized to work in the United States,” he explained.

Every person applying for a job must submit proof that he or she is eligible to work. In the case of foreign-born priests and other religious workers from another country, they must qualify for R-1 status, according to the Immigration and Nationality Act. After such status is granted, immigration agents follow up to make sure that the clergy or religious workers are in fact doing the work at the addresses given on their applications.

Government audits found a great deal of fraud in such cases, although none involved the Catholic Church. An example was given of a storefront church which had sponsored some workers. When authorities investigated, the “church” had been replaced by a dry cleaners.

“The government must confirm that there is actually a church or religious agency where it says it is,” says Koyonda. “All fraud has involved non-Catholic Church applications.”

But as Msgr. Marino emphasized, even though Catholics are not involved, “the Catholic Church does not get a pass. All religious applications are investigated.”

Msgr. Marino also emphasized that the Migration Office is the only office authorized to sponsor a Catholic priest or religious worker in Brooklyn and Queens. No parishes or individuals should be doing so.

Staff attorneys also advised attendees at the workshop of their responsibilities as employers. The Church, like every other employer, must have an I-9 form on file, verifying the work status of all employees. The government can ask for presentation of such forms upon visiting a site. Failure to produce them could result in fines beginning at $2,000 per person.

Paul Shonk, a staff attorney warned that although immigration authorities have not “raided” any Catholic church work sites, that doesn’t mean such measures are not possible.

“Workplace sites arrests are up dramatically,” pointed out Schonk. “While it is not likely that a diocesan entity would be raided, it is possible.”

In the case of such a raid, Schonk advised that people not panic, that they speak respectfully with authorities, that they give only their names, and that they remain silent until allowed to speak with an attorney.
Msgr. Marino advised that people “not act like lawyers if they are not lawyers.”

He also suggested that any church group that has questions about or problems with immigration should call the Diocesan Migration Office.

The Office can also supply answers to frequently asked question about non-immigrant religious workers; developing an emergency plan in the case of arrest and detention; and information about the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The Diocesan Migration Office, located at 1258 65th St., Bensonhurst, can be reached by calling 718-236-3000. Its website can be found at www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org and clicking on Ministries.

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