Daily Links, Jan. 31: Educating immigrants, church/state struggles, and coffee controversy

Considering that this is Catholic Schools Week, let’s start off today with some education news: Here is a great story about how a Catholic university is supporting students who are undocumented immigrants.

In other immigration news, immigrant advocacy groups and farmers, as well as some religious groups, are teaming up in Washington state against the use of a program to check immigrants’ eligibility to work in the U.S. Before we adopt such a program, they say, we need comprehensive immigration reform.

You’ve heard all about what the bishops think of the Obama administration’s decision on the contraception mandate in health care. But what about the opposing arguments? We’ve had some good comments on our blog, and others have responded with letters to the editor of their local paper. And here’s what the White House has to say.

In a somewhat related story, after being given the choice of complying with state law that would require allowing same-sex couples to adopt or getting out of the adoption business, Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois is now officially Christian Social Services of Illinois. The difference, of course, is that they are no longer affiliated with the Catholic Church and thus able to continue their adoption services, regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation.

President Obama is defending the use of drones, claiming that they haven’t really caused very many civilian deaths.

Bob Reilly, who helped both Ronald Reagan and John McCain with their outreach to Catholics, says Mitt Romney can’t win the Catholic vote, and thus he may not be able to win the presidency.

The real issue for most voters remains the economy, and the line between poor and middle class is getting thinner, and more people are on the brink of poverty.

Finally, next time you’re in the mood for a cup of coffee, here’s something to keep in mind: Starbucks supports same-sex marriage rights. But don’t worry–you can always drink coffee somewhere else.