DALLAS, Pa. - Misericordia University students attempting to do something as simple as walk across campus to go to lunch were stopped at a simulated checkpoint and asked to show their identification.

The exercise was part of a project designed to bring awareness and support to the campaign for comprehensive immigration reform currently being debated by the United States Congress.The Border Patrol exhibit, one of a series of activities held in celebration of Mercy Week, was designed to give members of the campus community the same experience that people in many countries face by having to go through checkpoints to simply go about their daily business.The exercise is designed to remind the students of the freedom of travel American citizens enjoy and to bring to light the immigration issues currently being debated by Congress.A comprehensive immigration reform bill, endorsed by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, was passed by the U.S. Senate and is pending before the U.S. House of Representatives.Participants were provided with post cards to send their thoughts on comprehensive immigration reform to local representatives. The messages regarding immigration reform and a picture of the wall will be sent to local Congressional representatives.The project was one of a slate of activities held in celebration of Mercy Week, which was observed Sept. 22-28. Misericordia University was founded and sponsored by the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1924.