And You Welcomed Me

And You Welcomed Me provides crucial academic underpinning to the complex phenomenon of migration from the perspectives of law, sociology, economics, international relations, and theology. It analyzes trade, immigration, labor, integration, and national security policies from the perspective of Catholic social thought, highlighting the values of the common good, human dignity, and authentic development.

Human beings leave their homelands for many reasons and they are called by many names: illegal aliens, strangers, asylum-seekers, displaced persons, economic migrants, lawful permanent residents, refugees, temporary workers, and victims of trafficking. Some are forced to flee because of violence, persecution, natural disaster, or intense economic privation. Most migrate in search of a better life, many as part of a family survival strategy. The movement of people from one place to another has remained a constant feature of human history. In an era characterized by the fast and cheaper movement of goods and services around the globe, migrants are the face of globalization. The world's two hundred million migrants often find themselves at the center of economic, social, and political debates. This book describes the distinctive way in which Catholic social teaching looks at migrants. It analyzes migration from the legal, social science, and cultural perspectives, and gives special consideration to the lived experience of immigrants themselves and their host communities. The book identifies gaps and opportunities to improve government and non-governmental responses to migration on a local, national, and international level. And You Welcomed Me aims to reframe perspectives on migration by focusing on the human beings at the heart of this phenomenon. It analyzes trade, immigration, labor, national security, and integration policies in light of the core Catholic commitment to the common good, human dignity, authentic development, and solidarity.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Crossing the Divide: Foundations of a Theology of Migration
Chapter 3 Chapter 2. International Migration: Social, Economic, and Humanitarian Considerations
Chapter 4 Chapter 3. But the Laborers are…Many? Catholic Social Teaching on Business, Labor and Migration
Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Rights, the Common Good, and Human Dignity in Service to the Human Person
Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Integration Yesterday and Today: New Challenges for the United States and for the Church
Chapter 7 Chapter 6. Christian Hospitality and Solidarity with the Stranger