I think that many Americans could agree with Archbishop Chaput's statement that his church will help people in need.
Where many non-Roman Catholics would probably tend to diverge from the Archbishop would be on what resources he would use for that help.
If Roman Catholics are using their church's resources, who could argue against it.
However, if illegal aliens are being "assisted" into getting free taxpayer funded healthcare, free taxpayer funded anchor baby services, and other free taxpayer funded welfare, all intended for legal American citizens, then many will be against the Archbishop's position.
I would suggest that the statement you posted could easily be construed as too ambiguous for such a hot topic.
When Americans see hundreds of thousands of illegals marching in a major city demanding "rights" in one news report, and then in another news report they hear about Roman Catholic groups arguing for "more support for undocumented immigrants", they will draw certain conclusions.
LOL, of course, the Archbishop and I don't have discussions on this issue, but I suggest that his words are too vague for such a volatile issue as illegal immigration and its ever increasing burden on American taxpayers.
Thanks for the comments.
There may be a reason his words are vague—and that is that this is primarily a political issue, and he’s a cleric, not a political leader. So he kinda has to stick to moral issues, and not get into the political/economic considerations.
But I think you are substantially right that some Catholics are being vague in saying “support” and meaning “government support” on the sly. Those folks need to remember the strong condemnations of socialism that Leo XIII wrote in the 1800s:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/L13APOST.HTM
And believe me, I understand the scandal aspect of it. I get just as upset watching those press reports as non-Catholics do—especially as I know how it’s going to be received.