Illegal immigrants 'are not free-loaders,' says Guatemalan bishop

Catholic News Service ^ | 04.13.05 | Agostino Bono

[Coleus]

Illegal immigrants 'are not free-loaders,' says Guatemalan bishop

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Illegal immigrants "are not free-loaders" but hard-working people who are seeking better lives for their families because social and economic improvements are not readily available to the Latin American poor, said a Guatemalan bishop.

"Some call them 'illegals.' But according to the market model, they are better described as entrepreneurs without assets, pursuing the American dream," said Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri of San Marcos, Guatemala.

"They work hard, often in several jobs, supporting a way of life that many take for granted," he said April 13 in written testimony delivered before the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

Bishop Ramazzini testified at a hearing on the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA, between the United States and five Central American countries. Negotiators for the six countries have agreed on a text, but the accord still has to be ratified by the United States and several other countries.

Better salaries and better working conditions are the main reasons Latin Americans come to the United States, he said.

Working conditions in Central America will only get worse under the proposed free trade agreement, as this pact threatens "to lock in a much lower level of protection for workers and their families," he added.

"Poor working conditions make for bad economics. Without enforceable labor rights that are part of trade agreements with sanctions for noncompliance applied to them, we will not raise standards of labor and standards of living in my country," said the bishop.

"I know of repeated instances where workers were treated in a way that would be against basic labor law in the United States," he said.

"Industrial workers, equipped with the basic rights to have a say in the workplace, were key to the growth of a middle class in your nation," and formed "a key element in making the United States the economic powerhouse it is today," said Bishop Ramazzini.

"This is not happening in Central America and it will not happen as long as hundreds of thousands of workers are suppressed, not empowered, at the workplace," he said.

Guatemala is among the 10 worst Latin American countries regarding unequal income distribution and needs to develop a strong middle class for economic and political stability, he said.

In Guatemala, 56 percent of the population is poor and 16 percent is extremely poor, he said.

Policies governing trade need to be integrated with development programs if life for the poor is to improve, he said.

"Trade policies need to be complemented by institutional reforms and a broader development framework that affords each person their right to participate in a market that is fair and compassionate," he added.

Bishop Ramazzini also questioned whether Guatemalan farmers could compete with subsidized U.S. agricultural products if tariff barriers were dropped.

"Our farmers are hard-working" but they "cannot compete against the U.S. Treasury and the $170 billion subsidies granted in your farm bill of 2002," he said.

Almost 25 percent of Guatemala's gross national product comes from farming, he said.

The bishop also questioned the long-term benefit of CAFTA to poor countries, saying its approval could override more favorable terms being negotiated worldwide by the World Trade Organization.

"It is widely expected that low-income developing countries, such as Guatemala, will be afforded 'special and differential treatment' under World Trade Organization rules currently being negotiated," he said.

"CAFTA will likely trump such measures that are designed to allow developing countries the time and space to foster integral human development," he said.

Rather than concentrating on making it easier for goods to cross borders, trade pacts "must look at trade policies from the bottom up -- from their impact on the lives and dignity of poor families and vulnerable workers across the hemisphere," he said.

Bishop Ramazzini's testimony is the latest in a series of efforts by Latin American bishops to criticize aspects of free trade agreements being promoted by the United States.

Last June, Bishop Ramazzini was part of a delegation of Central American bishops visiting the United States to discuss their criticisms of CAFTA with church and government officials. Last July, the Central American and U.S. bishops issued a joint statement outlining objections.

In February, a delegation of bishops from the Andean countries in South America visited the United States to air similar criticisms.

Church officials have said that they are not opposed to the concept of free trade, but are objecting to specific treaties they have judged to be prejudicial to the Latin American poor.

[ClintonBeGone]

He's right. With free trade, all the trading partners and their people will prosper.

[knuthom]

"Some call them 'illegals.' But according to the market model, they are better described as entrepreneurs without assets, pursuing the American dream," said Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri of San Marcos, Guatemala.

It doesn't matter what you call them. They are still here illegally. Why not have a "Guatemalan Dream"? We will share our ideas about liberty, individual responsibility and free enterprise with you, gratis.

[ikka]

"Some call them 'illegals.' But according to the market model, they are better described as entrepreneurs without assets, pursuing the American dream," said Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri of San Marcos, Guatemala.

When the good Bishop starts ex-communicating the drug lords and goons who run most of Guatemala, and publicly speaking out against a corrupt Guatemalan govt, then maybe I will cut him some slack.

[Travis McGee]

[grizzly84]

Being able to walk into any hospital and get free treatment without paying the bill sounds like freeloading to me.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Illegal immigrants "are not free-loaders" but hard-working people who are seeking better lives for their families because social and economic improvements are not readily available to the Latin American poor, said a Guatemalan bishop."

Be that as it may it does not give them the right to be here illegally. It is called "The American Dream" for a reason. Americans hold the keys that access that dream. If, as the most fortunate of the world's inheritors, we decide not to fling wide open the doors to anyone who can get a foot on our soil then that is our choice, and our choice alone. If you are here illegally then you are stealing our birthright. A birthright purchased with the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors. Illegal invaders have NO right whatsoever to steal that birthright from any American. If they want to come to America then let them abide by the rules that have been set worth. In doing so America will give them their own key or at least an opportunity to earn one.

[HiJinx]

Oh, man, I heard Gonzales say that today on the news and I darned near had a conniption fit. Lying through his teeth...

[Cultural Jihad]

"Some call them 'illegals.' But according to the market model, they are better described as entrepreneurs without assets, pursuing the American dream," said Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri of San Marcos, Guatemala.

"They work hard, often in several jobs, supporting a way of life that many take for granted," he said April 13 in written testimony delivered before the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

As opposed to the True Kornservatives who are wailing about the supposed infringement of their Socialist entitlements.

[occutegirl]

Saying illegal immigration is good for the economy is like saying 911 was a boon for the building industry in lower Manhattan.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Preemptively; I believe that US companies that employ illegal aliens are guilty of the same.

[Nucluside]

You hit that one squarely. I personally resent my tax money being spent for free social services for illegals, and I can't believe a Republican president is not securing our borders, as required by the US Constitution. We have every right to accuse the 'Rats of being treasonous, and it is extreme irony to see them start to outflank us on the immigration issue. I know most illegals work hard, I know most of them are good people, and I have very strong Hispano ties, virtually family ties. But illegal means illegal.

[Brad’s Gramma]

"This is not happening in Central America and it will not happen as long as hundreds of thousands of workers are suppressed, not empowered, at the workplace," he said.

So? Make it happen! Make YOUR country as good as we've made ours!

[26lemoncharlie]

We could just start annexing the provinces of Mexico and make them states!! Then they would have to pay taxes just like we do!

[jmc813]

He's right. With free trade, all the trading partners and their people will prosper.

Will some sort of international wealth transfer have to take place for this to happen?

[daguberment]

I've left my door open this night. In the morning, I would be delighted to find a mexican family in my kitchen. Perhaps they would be cooking some tasty enchiladas. Naturally, I will invite them to stay. They may do some work around the house, maybe not, but it's not important. Perhaps, they will get ill and I'll bring them to the hospital and pay their bill. I'm a Republican and I support George W. Bush.

[politicalwit]

"Some call them 'illegals.' But according to the market model, they are better described as entrepreneurs without assets, pursuing the American dream," said Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri of San Marcos, Guatemala. "

Lets call them what they really are....CRIMINALS and anyone that supports this type of criminal activity is a criminal also.

[TomGuy]

Well, then, Bishop, explain why 27% of the Federal prisoners in the US are illegal aliens.

Explain why some of those illegals are bringing in third-world diseases.

Explain why some of those illegals are criminals in their own countries. Some are murders, some drug dealers, some human traffickers (a.k.a., white or human slavery).

If all these ills are only 10%, Bishop, that is still thousands.

[politicalwit]

"With free trade, all the trading partners and their people will prosper."

Ahh Yes, we can use NAFTA as a shining example. </sarcasm>