I have to be honest that this is a difficult subject for me.
The Bible tells us to welcome the aliens in our midst and in the land that God gave us. I know many of the Latino people in my parish and imagine that some of them are not here legally. They are good people and I feel for them.
I am grateful to have been born here. Grateful to be an American and I can certainly understand the desire for people to come here.
Our priest has spoken about this in the past and probably will do so again. My biggest complaint, which I have brought up to him, is when he accuses those who oppose illegal immigration and amnesty of somehow being oppressors or bigots.
I am not a bigot and I welcome legal immigrants. My problem with the illegals is their antipathy toward assimilation and their expectation that we should cater to them in their inability to speak English.
It is a fine line the Church walks. We are to be loving and generous people. But, we are being overrun with those who come here and take and take and take. We are losing our ability to take care of ourselves and also everyone else.
As you can see I am pulled both ways. As a conservative, I want our borders protected from illegal entry by anyone. As a Christian, I want to care for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
There is no easy answer for me.
I honestly think most practicing Catholics feel that way. However, the Church needs to stay out of politics. If they want to tell us to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, etc. I'm fine with that. However, I draw the line on them trying to set legal policy. Look where it's gotten us - it's moved what is a religious obligation, i.e. charity, into the hands of the government. It's sick. We're a socialist nation now and members of our Church had a lot to do with that.