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.

[B4Ranch]

I brought this subject up a couple of years ago much to the disgust of many, at the time, strong Bush supporters. We are sliding into becoming a third world economy by design of the comfortably settled federal legislators, who can be sure to get support for re-election from FReepers.

[ClintonBeGone]

Over the years I have found Marine Inspector to be among the most honest, candid people I've ever come across on the net.

You clearly have no standards.

[ClintonBeGone]

Multiply the $2,736 X millions of Illegal households and that's billions of dollars of net loss when only considering federal income from the Illegals VS federal costs supporting the Illegals.

Why don't you run the numbers using sdpatriot's welfare supplements.

[harrowup]

"Over the years I have found Marine Inspector to be among the most honest, candid people I've ever come across on the net. "

You clearly have no standards.

Well, I did notice that he was comped into a Holiday Inn a week or so ago.

[in the Arena]

Conflict, discord, flamewars seem to follow you wherever you go on FR. How a self-professed ACLU Democrat that admits (proclaims) to enjoying "beating up" republicans, “especially conservatives”, gets away with such divisive behavior continuously is perplexing.

harrowup's an attention seeker that thrives off of controversy and his self-importence.

He also can't seem to differentiate "legal" and "illegal" with regard to immigrants and equates conversations pertaining to illegal immigration to an attack on legal immigrants.

I have yet to see a post on FR that condemns legal immigration, but harrowup insists that the members here that desire the rule of law be enforced are racists...and he called them (us) "racist pigs" although I can no longer locate that post...it may have been deleted.

It's a waste of time to debate harrowup, he's not interested in adult discourse.

[sdpatriot]

Jerermiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth

Proverbs 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

[ClintonBeGone]

1 JOHN 2: 4, 9 He who says "I know him", but disobeys his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still

Love all. Hate none. God makes no exception for those that lack a green card - neither should you.

[ClintonBeGone]

Well, I did notice that he was comped into a Holiday Inn a week or so ago.

Don't let him fool you. He's no high roller. All they got was free ice cream for the kids - and for that he had to sweep the parking lot.

[Cultural Jihad]

I have yet to see a post on FR that condemns legal immigration, . . .

Then look a little closer. There was a poll wherein 7.6% of members want to end all legal immigration from Mexico. And I would wager that they are the most ardent critics of illegal immigration. They would be dissembling when they wail about upholding the rule of law as it is nothing but an excuse for their unChristian and unconservative mindsets.

[sdpatriot]

i'm not the one lying about what others have said or not said - you are. you have slandered me more than once.

where have i stated that i should hate someone without a green card? you are slandering again.

God Himself stated He hated Esau. so be careful what you say. He is the Judge of that - not you.

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
:14 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

no coincidence that Esau had no respect for his inheritance and sold it cheaply. the very Nation that YHVH had promised His blessings to - and Esau sold it for a lousy bowl of pottage.

i would like to know how much money and time you spend helping our Christian brethren south of our borders - that is IF you are a Christian. if you are looking for a legitimate missionary organization, let me know. My brother is a minister with the Missionary Alliance Church and he and his wife are in South America, he could always use more money and volunteers.

[sdpatriot]

in the Arena said a POST.

i have yet to see a POST like that either on FR. that doesn't mean there isn't one... but it would certainly be a very small minority.

i have 2 very good friends that are LEGAL immigrants. and one who is soon to become a citizen after 4 years of waiting. God bless all three of them.

[in the Arena]

There was a poll wherein 7.6% of members want to end all legal immigration from Mexico. And I would wager that they are the most ardent critics of illegal immigration. T

Since it's an anonymous poll (as far as we are privy) and with the large number of lurkers compared to the number of active posters on these threads, I wouldn't make that wager.

I have yet to see an anti-illegal immigration poster on these threads state "Immigration from Mexico should not be allowed under any circumstances" or anything resembling that.

[Ben Ficklin]

Keep legal workers out

[in the Arena]

You can't seem to differntiate between legal and illegal immigrants either...

[David Schertz]

Marine Inspector,

I work with teachers and public schools all along the Texas border. Many of the schools I visit are within walking distance of the border. Teachers tell me all that is required for a child to be admitted to school is for the parent/guardian to show proof of residency such as an electric bill or rent receipt. Mexican birth certificates are used to establish age and for identification purposes. Schools have to accept children if they can prove district residency regardless of how they enter the country. Teachers tell me that many of these children live with uncles and aunts.

Do you have any statistics on how many of these children there are? I would be interested in knowing what kind of financial burden this places on school districts.

Do Mexicans routinely bring their children across the border solely for education purposes, allowing them to live with relatives? Is this something the border patrol becomes involved in? Is there a certain age below which children won't be deported if they are legal aliens?

[Ben Ficklin]

A temporary visa holder is not a legal immigrant?

A permanant visa holder is not a legal immigrant?

What is a legal immigrant?

[Coleus]

Many of these Liberation Theology Bishops hate Capitalism and America and only seem to love the USA when their countrymen sneak over to look for work.

[harrowup]

I have yet to see an anti-illegal immigration poster on these threads state "Immigration from Mexico should not be allowed under any circumstances" or anything resembling that.

I've noticed you guys are sticklers for exact quotes when the smell gets a little heavy.

How about have you ever seen any anti-illegal immigration poster on any thread state "...build a wall twenty feet high and throw them all back..." or anything resembling that?

Take all the time you need.

[Coleus]

It is time for the government (if we have one) >>

We lost it a long time ago and the Patriot Act was the final nail in the coffin. Govt. was originally formed to ensure that our God-given rights were being afforded to us and now we have draconian laws which allow illegals free heath care and education while big brother is watching us all.

[Coleus]

it's that they've destroyed our health care system. >>

and our schools and our jails. Many belong to gangs, they go to church on Sunday and kill each other on Monday.