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.

[in the Arena]

in the Arena - From your reply to raybbr's post I was under the impression that you implied that the "Indians" prospered from free trade.

ClintoBeGone - Correct.

So, in post 55 and 72 you imply the American Indians prospered under free trade, but in post 63 you imply they did not prosper...

What is it ?

[dljordan]

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

The only people who will prosper will be illegal immigrants, government employees, politicians and the financial elite. From the content of your replies that consistently endorse the destruction of our American sovereignty and culture you obviously have a hidden agenda. You are always against the American citizen in favor of the foreign which leads me to believe that you are either a foreigner yourself or so hopelessly liberal that you would put foreign nationals above your own countrymen.

[in the Arena]

BTW, no flame intended...

[26lemoncharlie]

Yes but Mexico has a great deal of Oil, monies from this could be used to help all of us. The would lower tha Oil imported to the US from Islamic countries and would offer greater exploration of oil in the Mexican areas.

[jackbenimble]

Yes but Mexico has a great deal of Oil, monies from this could be used to help all of us.

Mexico has quite a lot of oil. It is cheaper to buy it from them then it is to take responsibility for their 100 million poor people.

[El Cid]

Blah, blah, blah, AND blah...
The 'Bishop' ought to remember that he represents the Kingdom of God and not the world. As such a representative he should emphasize to his flock that:

God hates a liar.
It is wrong to deceive.
There is no dishonor in being poor.
And, unless it is contrary to the laws of God, we are to follow the laws of the civil government.

It sounds like this 'Bishop' did his seminary work studying the art of social relativism and Karl Marx rather than eternal truths of the Bible...

[26lemoncharlie]

Just an Idea, Let's build a double wall out of Concrete topped with chainlink and razor wire and in between the walls put in land mines. Seperate Entrances points for people and trade goods. Mexican trucks deliver to the border warehouses, good are inspected and transportation into the country done by us truckers only. Create jobs, control the border and know who is in th ecountry.

To locate illegal immigrants:

Place a large fine w/jail time for companies who are employing illegals

Place a bounty on all illegal immigrants.

Parents of anychild born in the US must be US Citizens or Legal Documented immigrants.

Deportation cost and any medical or housing costs will be charged to the person Home Country.

All legal immigrants must check in with the local court house where they are living every 6 months or when they move, they must check in within 30 days otherwise deportation procedings will commence.

If US Citizenship is desired, this will not be a problem. The cost of freedom is to high to just give our citizenship away.

[ClintonBeGone]

So, in post 55 and 72 you imply the American Indians prospered under free trade, but in post 63 you imply they did not prosper...

Sorry if you misinterpreted my implication. That isn't an accurate reading of my point, which is that native americans have prospered under free trade.

[ClintonBeGone]

The only people who will prosper will be illegal immigrants, government employees, politicians and the financial elite. From the content of your replies that consistently endorse the destruction of our American sovereignty and culture you obviously have a hidden agenda.

So instead of free trade, america should adopt your ideal model of international economics and quality of life - North Korea?

[Serenissima Venezia]

Once somebody is a citizen they can always go visit their parents and extended family or have them visit America but the taxpayer should not get stuck with welfare for a bunch of old people and ignorant people who have never contributed anything to the tax base.

Ain't that the truth! We have enough of our own deadbeats without importing more. It seems crazy that an elderly person that never paid into our system could come here and draw SS and Medicare benefits. I don't imagine I could decide to move to Italy [or insert any other country here] when I'm 65 and receive a pension from that country. It's meant for those that paid into it their whole lives.

Somedays, when I think of the mess liberals have made of the U.S., I think our country is so far gone that I just want to give up. Luckily, so far, I wake up each day with renewed energy and motivation. But it is very frustrating!

[chicagolady]

but hard-working people who are seeking better lives for their families .................

besides raping children and sodomizing nuns I mean!!

[3AngelaD]

I wish someone would have asked the Bishop what percentage of Guatemala's population should be allowed to immigrate here unimpeded. Then we might have a better idea of his unstated agenda.

[1rudeboy]

The only people who will prosper will be illegal immigrants, government employees, politicians and the financial elite. From the content of your replies that consistently endorse the destruction of our American sovereignty and culture you obviously have a hidden agenda.

In other words, free trade will create tension between the industrialists and the proletariat, leading to the collapse of capitalism. Where have I heard that before? [scratching chin]

[monkeywrench]

http://english.people.com.cn/200402/28/eng20040228_136085.shtml

"At the forum called "China's Influence on Future of Mexico" held in Monterrey, a city in the north of Mexico, the ambassador disclosed that China had expressed its hope to import oil from Mexico. Mexico is not producing oil enough to export to China. But the National Oil Company of Mexico is considering increasing its oil output to meet the needs."

[dljordan]

"So instead of free trade, america should adopt your ideal model of international economics and quality of life - North Korea?"

I see by your reference to North Korea you are trying to place anyone who disagrees with you on a par with the commies. What liberal, Delphi method, think-tank were you trained in? Why did you copy Dane on this? Were you hoping to get one of your friends to help pile on? We don't have free trade now. So-called free trade is killing us because it is balanced in favor of other nations.

You are not an American are you?

[jackbenimble]

Mexico is not producing oil enough to export to China.

What is your point? Oil is totally fungible. Once it is on the market it can be sold to anybody. There is one world wide supply and one world wide demand. A lot of our oil produced in Prudhoe Bay ends up in Japan. We have no particular claim to being the exclusive market for Mexican oil and the Mexicans would be fools to not sell oil to whomsoever will pay the most for it.

[politicalwit]

"Point of fact: Crossing a border without permission and not immediately consigning oneself for review is an administrative misdemeanor, not a felony, unless there was already a misdemeanor conviction for same."

So it's OK to jump the border, illegally obtain a false ID (Felony ID theft), misuse of a SSN, obtain a driver's license with falsified identification, drive with no insurance, utilize state and federal services not entitled to receive, use private services without paying.

I find it ironic that when Jorge Bush was governor of Texas he thought the problem with illegals was important enough to petition the Clinton Administration to recoup expenses by the state for enforcing federal laws relating to illegal aliens. Why the change? It's apparent that Bush is as crooked as Clinton. How much is the pay-off? It's obvious that Bush has to kiss the arse of Big Business.

" And lose the "Open Border Buddies" ad hominems, please. There are no open border advocates here."

Now there's a laugh!!!!!!!!

[ClintonBeGone]

I see by your reference to North Korea you are trying to place anyone who disagrees with you on a par with the commies.

I don't have to do that - I think the readers can already make that connection based on your comments. I'm simply saying if you don't like the free trade model, do you suggest we adopt the North Korean model of trade and lifestyle?

[JarheadFromFlorida]

[[Please do me the favor of not replying to any of my posts in the future because I have no further interest in conversing with you.]]

Jack,

This guy is a baiter as you well know. Evidence refutes liberalism and when they can no longer defend the indefensible, they resort to name calling and insinuations of racism. You cleaned his clock and exposed him at the same time so not much more he can do. Good work!

[Czar]

"You are not an American are you?"

I doubt you will see an answer. One trait shared by all of our resident FOQNA loons is an aversion to any question about citizenship or national loyalties. If you show any signs of being a loyal American, especially if you believe in American sovereignty, the protection of our borders and the preservation of American culture, customs and language, you will be called a racist. When they start the race baiting, that means you have won the debate.

It is a despicable little hyena pack that always puts America last.