Politics & Society
THE VOICES OF POLITICS & SOCIETY

A prominent figure in United Nations efforts to help women in Africa escape poverty, Margaret Snyder was inspired by her parents and by Catholic mentors from her hometown.
Africa was winning the Covid-19 battle. Then came rising death rates (and waves of misinformation).
Leadership lapses and the spread of erroneous information and fear about possible treatments for the disease also threaten a successful Covid-19 response in Africa.
A church survey reveals how mothers in Brazil are struggling to care for newborns in prison.
The Brazilian Constitution secures the right of women who are incarcerated to breastfeed their babies for six months. The law also allows them to serve their time at home. The decision is left to a judge.

Immigration advocates, including four bishops, sent a letter to President Biden on Jan. 28, urging his administration to restore asylum, offer protection over deterrence at the border and overhaul the current immigration policy.

Refugees “can’t obtain the Brazilian documents,” one local bishop said, “but they keep needing shelter, food and healthcare.”

President Trump has virtually ended refugee admissions to the United States, Joshua P. Cohen writes, but Joe Biden can restore our leadership as a humanitarian nation.

President Joe Biden has restarted the debate over immigration with a sweeping reform bill. Passage will not be easy, but the Catholic community can help achieve a long-overdue victory.