Posted on 05/08/2010 8:33:35 AM PDT by GonzoII
By Bishop John C. Wester Take the survey: Do you support Arizona's new immigration law? Let us know» Editor’s note: In light of the recent debate over Arizona’s new immigration law and responses to Archbishop Jose H. Gomez’s essay “Archbishop: Catholics’ role in immigration reform solution” in our May 2 issue, Our Sunday Visitor asked Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, to answer some of our readers’ toughest questions about the Church’s position on immigration. Question: What don’t the bishops understand about “illegal”? Why disrespect the rule of law? Answer: The U.S. bishops and the teachings of the Catholic Church have consistently respected the right of the sovereign to control its borders, as well as the rule of civil law. However, the Church, along with other members of our democratic society, has the right to work to change laws which are believed to violate basic human dignity, dignity imbued by the Creator. In the case of immigration, the U.S. bishops believe that the broken U.S. immigration system contributes to the exploitation of migrant workers in the workplace; their abuse by ruthless smugglers; and their deaths in the desert as they seek to find work to support their families. They come illegally because there are insufficient visas under the current system to come legally. Our system contains only 5,000 permanent visas for unskilled laborers to come to the United States, but the demand for their work is much higher, since as many as 300,000 undocumented people each year are absorbed into the U.S. workforce. Comprehensive immigration reform, which the U.S. bishops support, would replace illegality with a system based on legal presence and legal entry, thus restoring the rule of law to a chaotic system while also protecting the basic dignity, and lives, of our fellow brothers and sisters. It would require those who have broken the law to get on the right side of it by paying a fine, taxes, learning English and waiting in the back of a long line to have a chance to become a U.S. citizen. This “path to citizenship” is in the best interests of migrants, who are able to become full members of their communities, and our nation, which will continue to benefit from their contributions without sacrificing our long-held values as a nation of immigrants: freedom, fairness and opportunity. Question: Is this welcoming of Latinos because they are Catholic? If not, do you also support opening our borders to impoverished people from Arab and Asian countries? Answer: The support of the U.S. bishops for immigration reform is not because the majority of immigrants at this point in our history are Latino or Catholic. The Catholic Church heeds Our Lord’s call to “welcome the stranger” to all children of God, regardless of their ethnicity, national origin, race or religion. This is evident in all of the social-service programs of the Catholic Church, which base their outreach on “need,” not “creed.” Having said that, the fact that the majority of immigrants are Catholic makes it more real for many Catholics, since many immigrants are present in our service programs, health care centers, schools and parishes. We, as a Catholic community, directly witness the human consequences of a broken system each day, when immigrant families come to pastors and employees and ask for help for a family member who has been detained or deported by immigration authorities. We can only help these families, and keep them together, by changing our immigration laws. Finally, despite assertions to the contrary, the U.S. bishops do not support “open borders,” but support generous, but reasonable, immigration policies that serve the common good. Question: The current situation of illegal immigration is causing an unsustainable strain on social services. Do the bishops not see that as a problem? Answer: There are several myths in this area. First of all, most studies show that, although at an early age immigrants consume more than they contribute, over a lifetime they are net contributors to our economy through the taxes they pay, the goods they produce and consume, and their labor. Moreover, legal immigrants do not qualify for welfare or health care for the first five years of their residency in the United States, while undocumented immigrants never qualify for such benefits. In fact, undocumented immigrants pay billions in income taxes each year and at least $7 billion in Social Security taxes, helping to sustain Social Security for the baby-boomer generation. By adopting comprehensive immigration reform and providing the undocumented legal status, the United States would receive even more income taxes and Social Security payments from immigrants, since they would be required to register with the government and pay their full share. Question: Why should not the priority be on the development in the countries the immigrants come from so they do not want to come here in the first place? Answer: In fact, the U.S. bishops have stated that Congress should look at the “push factors,” such as the lack of living-wage employment, that compel immigrants to leave their home countries and risk their lives to come to the United States in search of jobs. As a global institution, the Catholic Church believes that the most humane and effective long-term solution to irregular immigration is economic development in poorer countries, so that people can stay in their home countries and support their families in dignity. In the context of the current immigration debate, this is the Church’s answer to a border wall, which will not prevent irregular migration over the long term. The Church believes that migration should ultimately be driven by choice, not necessity. Question: What kind of immigration reform do the bishops want exactly? Amnesty? Open borders? Answer: Neither. The U.S. bishops’ prescription for mending our broken system is to bring the 11 million undocumented out of the shadows, register them with the government, require them to pay a fine and any taxes owed, and require them to learn English and work as they wait in the back of the line for a chance for citizenship. This is not “amnesty,” which is generally defined as granting a benefit without anything in return. The U.S. bishops would also support an increase in family-based and employment-based visas so that immigrant families could migrate to the United States in a safe, legal and controlled manner, and not be subject to the abuse of human smugglers or to death in the desert. It is our view that making changes to the legal immigration system will help ease pressure on our border by taking undocumented immigrants out of the enforcement equation, freeing up law enforcement to focus upon those who are here to harm us — drug smugglers, human traffickers, and would-be terrorists — and not those simply looking for a job. We also believe, as mentioned earlier, that Congress should examine how the root causes of migration can be addressed, so that migrants can stay where they are and work in dignity. Bishop John C. Wester heads the Diocese of Salt Lake City and is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration.Bishop answers readers' tough questions about immigration
U.S. bishops advocate mending broken system and improving economic development in poor countries
(Priest) Cites Church Stand Against Illegal Immigration
Agonizing in Arizona – A Pastoral Pondering on Immigration Policy
[Bill 1070] Makes Arizona An Instant Epithet
Immigration, Politics, and the Church (Ecumenic)
Bishop Slattery calls for secure borders, immigration reform [Tulsa, OK]
John 10:1 NIV
As a Catholic I say this bishop and the rest of them can go to Hell. Never is there ever any mention of the dignity of the American citizen/taxpayer who is paying the cost of this illegality. Never is there any mention THAT MEXICO IS IN THE SHAPE IT”S IN BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE!!! I’m sick and tired of this bs about “Americas immigration system is ‘’broken’’. Like Hell it is! It works, WHEN IT”S ENFORCED!! This is not America’s problem, it’s Mexico’s. They’re Catholics, where are it’ leaders to demand ‘’dignity’’ for Mexicans IN MEXICO?
Who knew.
Guess these guys never give up, that good ol' Latin relentlessness in the pursuit of power.
Question: What kind of immigration reform do the bishops want exactly? Amnesty? Open borders?
Answer: Neither. The U.S. bishops’ prescription for mending our broken system is to bring the 11 million undocumented out of the shadows, register them with the government, require them to pay a fine and any taxes owed, and require them to learn English and work as they wait in the back of the line for a chance for citizenship. This is not “amnesty,” which is generally defined as granting a benefit without anything in return.
I could live with that, but I would like to see the Bishops to do the following:
1) As Bishop Slattery did a few days ago: they should demand complete security on the border. No one gets in without permission. Period.
2) A clear admission that illegal means illegal. I would like the bishops to admit that, at least in normal circumstances, that it is morally wrong to violate laws established for the common good.
3) The bishops should denounce welfare fraud, drug trafficing and all the other crimes commonly associated with illegal aliens and explicitly acknowledge that they are crimes ASSOCIATED with illegal immigration.
4) The bishops should also demand reforms in Mexico. Period. The Bishops should denounce the anti-clerical, leftist establishment in Mexico that has erected an oligarchy that conspires to maintain a strangle hold on resources, capital and advancement in Mexico.
5) The bishops should insist all immigrants learn English and assimilate to American culture in general.
6) The bishops should actively work to prevent Catholic immigrants from being co-opted into the pro-abort Democratic Party because it and its policies work against Christianity and specifically promote the murder of children.
You better watch out on your judgments there. Many bishops are against illegal immigration and FOR legal immigration — just like you are! Please don’t wish hell on anyone.
Answer: Neither. The U.S. bishops’ prescription for mending our broken system is to bring the 11 million undocumented out of the shadows, register them with the government, require them to pay a fine and any taxes owed, and require them to learn English and work as they wait in the back of the line for a chance for citizenship. This is not “amnesty,” which is generally defined as granting a benefit without anything in return.
Pure sophistry. This is amnesty. Any legislation that legalizes the status of those who broke our laws by entering our country illegally and allows them to stay and work here is amnesty. We must not only prevent the Democrats and some moderate Republicans from hijacking the meaning of the word amnesty, but the public must be made aware about the true impact of an amnesty. The Heritage Foundation concluded that the cost of amnesty alone would be $2.6 trillion. And the number of additional LEGAL immigrants who would join those who were the recipients of amnesty through chain migration, i.e., family reunification, would approach 70 million over a 20-year period, assuming there are only 12 million illegal aliens. We cannot assimilate such numbers. An amnesty would destroy the United States of America with the stroke of a pen.
Definition: Amnesty, from the same Greek root as "amnesia," forgives past crimes and removes them from the record for future purposes. In the context of immigration, amnesty is commonly defined as granting legal status to a group of individuals unlawfully present in a country. It overlooks the alien's illegal entry and ongoing illegal presence and creates a new legal status that allows the recipient to live and work in the country.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: The textbook example of an amnesty. The 1986 law's path to citizenship was not automatic. The legislation stipulated several requirements to receive amnesty, including payment of application fees, acquisition of English-language skills, understanding of American civics, a medical exam, and registration for military service. Individuals convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors were ineligible. No one disputes that this act provided amnesty. Supporters said it would be a “one-time” amnesty. It was estimated that one million would apply, but the true number turned out to be 2.7 million.
**The Catholic Church is trying to deconstruct the American nation**
Not true!
The Catholic Church has provided and enhanced the hospital system in the United States, the university system. Additionally the Catholic Church has stood AGAINST embryonic stem cell research, abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and on and on when all the other churches have caved to politically correct positions.
To read up on what the Catholic Church believes....please check out the search engine for the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the next post.
Ping!
Bishop answers readers' tough questions about immigration
Cardinal Roger Mahony's Religious and Political Agenda
Suspended Gay Calif. Priest Laments: Abp. Gomez a 'Sharp Thrust to the Right' for LA Diocese
More Bogus Charges Against Archbishop Gomez
SEX ABUSE LAWSUIT NAMES SAN ANTONIO ARCHDIOCESE
Latino Immigrants Proud That L.A.'s Next Archbishop Is 'One of Us' [Can We Get Rid of Ethnic Pride?]
In Defense of Archbishop Gomez's Handling of Abuse Scandals
Archbishop Gomez: Who is He?
Why Archbishop Gomez is like other Bishops Appointed by Pope Benedict
An Interview with Archbishop José H. Gomez
Gomez vows to be an advocate for L.A.'s immigrants...(misleading title alert!)
San Antonio's Archbishop José Gomez named by Pope to be successor to Cardinal Roger Mahony. ...
Precious words from the archbishop... [Jose Gomez]
New Coadjutor of Los Angeles One of 22 Opus Dei Bishops
Opus Dei Seeks to Make Everyday Life Holier
Archbishop Gomez 'deeply grateful' for Los Angeles appointment
Cardinal Mahony grateful LA will have Hispanic archbishop
Vatican: Archbishop Gomez appointed to Archdiocese of LA
Pope's 'Revenge' As LA Gets Opus Dei Bishop [Pope's "Revenge" on Hollywood Sodomites!]
Gomez Holds Both Conservative And Progressive Views [Denounced College for Pro-Abortion HRC Invite]
Pope Names Latino Leader For L.A. Archdiocese [Member of Conservative Opus Dei Movement]/a>
Historic Appointment to LA Archdiocese
Report: Gomez is going to L.A.
It's Official: New Archbishop [Gomez} for Los Angeles
El Tiempo Ha Venido -- Reports: (Archbishop) Gomez Up to LA (Catholic Caucus)
[To replace Cardinal Mahony] Vatican rumor: an American prelate in play?
Los Angeles Getting a New Archbishop (Part 1)
Los Angeles Getting a New Archbishop (Part 2)
With the official unemployment rate at almost 10% and unofficial ( and likely more accurate) estimates even higher, the very last thing the US needs is more imported workers, skilled or not. The bishop cannot be unaware of this. But as usual, he blames America for the unlawful actions of others. If foreigners break our laws, it is because our laws are unjust. You see, America is always to blame. by this reasoning, if I steal my neighbors car, it's his fault for not giving me money to buy one of my own.
The question has been raised here and elsewhere, and with all due respect, why aren’t these US bishops who are so concerned about the dignity of Mexicans working with their confreres in Mexico to improve conditions there? Mexico is a country rich in resources. With a decent, stable government, less oligarchy, and some industriousness, it could be every bit as prosperous as the US,perhaps more so.
I’m pretty tired of politicians and priests whose daily lives are not impacted in any negative way telling the rest of the country what they should suffer.
Never heard one bishop speak out against it.
It does not matter what they call it, it will be called amnesty in Mexico. The old, we got to get there for the next amnesty game will start all over.
Illegal immigrants use fake and/or stolen iDs to obtain social services. Also, when they are cited for a traffic violation or arrested for a crime and released, they don't pay or show up in court. They just get another fake ID.
If a citizen commits identity fraud or identity theft, he goes to prison. If an illegal alien does that, he gets amnesty.
Once again the American bishops display misplaced compassion for outlaws at the expense of their victims.
most studies show that, although at an early age immigrants consume more than they contribute, over a lifetime they are net contributors to our economy through the taxes they pay, the goods they produce and consume, and their labor.
Studies, yeah. Do those studies take into account the cost to our schools, our courts, our law enforcement, our medical system, our auto insurance, our prisons, or the human cost from drunk drivers, criminal assaults, rape, child rape, auto theft, burglaries, etc.? And will those stop when the criminals are amnestized?
In my entire life so far, I can count the number of homilies I’ve heard about abortion on one hand, and one of those was used to tie the death penalty to the abortion issue.
If a Leftist homilist starts in about social justice or amnesty, I’m walking out immediately.
The US Bishops are not addressing the problem head on.
It’s a SIN to steal. Crossing the border to embezzle/steal welfare, food stamps, medicaid, jobs, IS A SIN.
The PROBLEM is Mexico and in particular Calderone.
The US Bishops should all take a trip to Mexico and visit the towns along the border, then go to Mexico City and address the Mexican Government on THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR CITIZENS.
We are THE UNITED STATES of America, we are NOT just one Country IN the “American Continent[s].
John 10:10a The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
And that’s the truth on our Southern Border.
Good article but the current situation has caused such chaos I think the only way to sort this out is by enforcing current law including deportations and only ushering reforms after we have secured our borders, deported the illegals, and made sure the violent criminals have been jailed or handed over to Mexico for justice.
Then let those who have legitimate reason to immigrate do so legally and if they don’t want to wait for reforms they can stay where they are.
And I agree wholeheartedly that pressure needs to be put on Mexico since they avoid having to deal with many issues by figuring those who are not in a position to better their lives in Mexico will just cross the border.
I do wonder how much that demand would still remain if the workers became legal workers.
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