[Grig]

"Why would the LDS allow an illegal immigrant to serve an LDS mission here in the US?"

A) because serving a mission will be a great blessing to the missionary and many others

B) because the immigrant has a testemony of Christ and a desire to serve

C) because the immigrant was brought into the USA as a child and is not resonsible for his illegal status

Would you rather have an illegal working as a volunteer for a church, or taking a paying job? I though most of you would rather they didn't take jobs away from Americans.

[Utah Binger]

A) because serving a mission will be a great blessing to the missionary and many others B) because the immigrant has a testemony of Christ and a desire to serve

Barf Alert!

[Vigilanteman]

What isn't addressed in this article is why Mr. Hernandez left Valparaiso, a coast city with presumably more job opportunities than an inland city, to work as an illegal alien in an American backwater. Additionally, his two year's missionary service should have given him a leg up on other illegals due to his English fluency-- including opportunities to work for a multi-national in his native country.

Part of the solution to the illegal immigration problem has to be putting meaningful pressure on the supplying countries to reduce the number of workers they send to the United States. The other part has to be an immigration law that selects who comes here in an orderly manner. Those willing to assimilate and learn our language should get priority over those who will do neither.

This is a tragic story in which Mr. Hernandez (who is still alive) and his former employer (who is not) are both victims and victimizers. Had his employer feared a fine for hiring illegal aliens, it is unlikely this whole sorry story would have happened. Had Mr. Hernandez efforts to learn our language and assimilate into our culture been rewarded with a path to legalization, it would not have happened.

I find it interesting that even with the loss of her husband, Mrs. Hernandez apparently has no desire to return to Mexico, a kleptocracy rich in resources and people willing to work.