Recent changes to the US Immigration and Nationality Act have placed in jeopardy the ability of foreign-born religious workers to continue their ministries. The situation, in which foreign-born clergy could be suddenly deported, has led a New Jersey Diocese to sue the US Department of State. Now, a New York bishop is calling on Catholics to write their elected representatives to address these concerns. 

Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen of New York called for the letter writing campaign in an interview with The Good News Room. He explained that ministries all over the country have been placed at risk by the new rules, noting that many US ministries rely on foreign-born priests as the nation is experiencing a shortage of domestic vocations.