Recently Catholic Charities in the Houston area made available to local, and probably other parish congregations, copies of a small newsprint edition entitled "Justice for Immigrants." This document politely took issue with the vote of various unnamed Texas Representatives who supported H.R. 4437 a.k.a. the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. It asks Texas' two Senators to vote against the legislation and solicits Catholic voters to contact the Senators regarding this issue.
The lead item, "Toward a More Just Society", printed over the signature of now retired Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, is centered on "the right of people to migrate in search of a better living…". While most of us would like very much for everyone to be able to go where they have the best opportunities, in practice it makes little sense in today's world. Nations want, and in many cases need to control who enters and exits, especially in war time, as now.
Perhaps more importantly, there is no "right to migrate" across the border recognized in the U.S. Constitution, and virtually all other nations do not recognize the idea of open borders. Many are much more strict that the US has been, or will be. Mexico, which is by far responsible for the largest number of people crossing into the United States illegally, doesn't allow people to enter at will. Not that many American citizens want to move to Mexico, but there are a large number of Central Americans from Honduras, for example, who travel through Mexico on their way here. Nowhere is there any criticism of the Mexican policy of stopping these folks and either turning them back, imprisoning them, or probably killing them on occasion.
The publication goes on to state that "Punitive and Shameful Legislation (is) Not the Answer", and calls for changes in the immigration laws including a guest worker program leading to permanent resident status, and enforcement of the present laws, in the meanwhile. While a guest worker program might be an excellent idea were it not for the millions of Mexicans already here, it should not lead to permanent resident status. Guest workers are just that, and when their time is up they should go home. The fact that the federal government is not enforcing our present laws is what has been leading the states to take a hand in the matter. They have the same duties to their citizens as Washington DC has to the entire nation, and there is no absolute prohibition on states enforcing federal laws. When the feds can't or won't do it, someone else has to. At least no on can say that people acting under state authority are vigilantes.
With all due respect to Archbishop Emeritus Fiorenza, America has a responsibility to maintain a just society for the people who live here legally, and not to bend over backward to make it possible for Mexico and other nations to avoid their responsibility to their own citizens by dumping them across our border. This is what the Archbishop has either intentionally or negligently avoided addressing; possibly because he knew that Mexican President Vincente Fox has no interest in, or intention of, dealing with that issue. In address related to America's interest in increased border security Fox recently stated: "This situation we're seeing, a disgraceful and shameful moment where walls are being built, security systems are being reinforced, and human and labor rights are being violated more and more, won't protect the economy of the United States." What is more to the point is Fox's obvious lack of interest in the "human and labor rights" being violated by his own government, in the name of political power. Fox and his associates know that without the safety valve of people crossing north to the U.S. a revolution is a likely result. Without the safety valve he faces a difficult problem; he may either have to gun down the rebels in the streets, or lose power catastrophically. A third choice would be political and economic reform, leading to a gradual power loss, making him look better to the eyes of his countrymen, and the rest of the world, but losing him the hold on power, which he and his fellows now have.
The problem, in short is that there needs to be a more just society, not in the US, but in Mexico. Mexican citizens should have the same opportunities that they have here, so that they will not feel the need to migrate. If Vincente Fox will open up the economy to everyone who lives there, and allow them to exercise their human rights that he speaks so stridently about when criticizing the USA then there will be no border issue. If he is serious about what he says, then let's see some action in Mexico, and if the Catholic Church is intent on seeing a just society here in North America, let's see them criticize Mexico for it's failure to do what it should, rather than condemning America for doing what it must.
slaib@intellectualconservative.com
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If you take to heart the words of the gospel there is no more powerful words than "whatever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me." I would believe that the charity looks to do little more than live the spirit of the gospel. In truth if scripture is the living word of of God then they have a moral imperative to be faithful to these teachings.As for the comment " it has shown itself to be less concerned with America than it should be," prehaps it is concerned with America as it stands now. Not what could be but what it is now. This is not the terrorist horde at your gates but the people that watch your children, pick your crops and do thousands of tasks you cannot bring yourself to do. If the words of Christ mean anything to you then you must not abandon these sons and daughters of God, for to do so is to abandon the words of scripture. Who is my brother? If millions of Mexicans are already there, where are they? They are not in the ditches, millions hiding, lying in wait. They are in your homes, fields and hills. Heaven forbid they wish the same things that you do. Is not America a country that was founded upon these very same hopes and desires?
Is not the fact that the federal government is not enforcing these present laws a sign that they realize this migration far more complicated than you can admit to? The charity is simply reacting to a real need that cannot be denied. America created a need. Mexico supplied the raw material. Of course the trains rolls through Mexico No hope there for the immigrants there so they roll on through the night.
Open your eyes and see this situation for what it is. Not a few thousand hiding in the bullrushes but millions on your shores that all the vigilante borderguards will never ever be able to contain. Be thankful to the charity that everyday services the real needs of the people that have no voice. Do not compromise the words of Christ but rather understand the Catholic Charity has no other option. Their kingdom is not of this world
is what has been leading the states to take a hand in the matter.
it should not lead to permanent resident status. Guest workers are just that, and when their time is up they should go home
Comment by Patrick DeBurg | March 10, 2006
This is so obvious, yet seemingly so widely ignored. Why is there no hint of shame from the Mexican government that so many of it's citizens are willing to risk so much to find work in the US. The Catholic Church is an enabler of of economic dysfunction and suffering.
Comment by John Greenwood | March 11, 2006
why are we not ashamed that we continually break our own laws by knowingly employig illegal mexicans, then screech about immigration as we crack jokes about how those funny little brown skinned people work their little brown asses off to make us rich?
ah, self serving, scape goating hypocrisy.
Comment by ibbleblibble | March 12, 2006
Maybe the catholic church needs to remind people that Jesus was able to perform so many kind and wonderful acts because he as is taught is the son of God and as such was entitled to certain aspects that many of us mortals are not: rising from the dead (Easter) is a nice reminder, the wealth of God (the rest of us have to die to enjoy that wealth) etc.
Comment by Dean | March 12, 2006
The Catholic charities can go over the border any time they like and do good for the mexican people.
Comment by parsimonious mom | March 12, 2006
Finally I agree with ibblebibble on one thing, I did not know it was possible. The only to shut down the open border is to penalize the employers who take advantage of these people. The next step would be to tax the workers who come here the same as if they were legal. We should only charge them federal, state and local taxes, not umemployment, FICA, Social Security, etc., because they should not be eligible for these beneifts. Go after the contractors, farmers, etc., who make millions off these illegals.
Anyone who tries to tell me how these farmers, contractors, etc., would go out of busines if they had to pay jsut wages can start to realize how America cannot afford to keep the current system intact. This is the only crime in America I know of where the lower of the totem pole (immigrant) is penalized more than the beneficiary (business)
Comment by Honker | March 13, 2006
Why do you think they aren't eligible for Social Security? Social Security pays out for more than just retirement and is subject to the same pilfering as other welfare entitlements. Social Security pays something even to people who make little or no contribution. The same is true for unemployment insurance. If they can get a job and submit the paperwork (without INS arresting them, which it doesn't), they can collect all of it.
As for blaming people who employ illegals, how do you propose someone dependent on staying competitive is to turn down cheaper labor? The guy who does that while his competitor hires them will get murdered by the market. How about we say it is the consumer’s fault for buying products prepared by illegals working for those businesses. How many of us refuse to eat fast foods because we can be pretty sure all those heavily accented copper-skinned folks working behind the counter got here by bypassing the regular channels? How many of you have refused to put out trash to be picked up by them? How many of you have patronized a gas station you know are employing them. We are all ‘employers’ of illegals. I agree with you it is undesirable, yet I see no way out for business or the rest of us, nor does it make the least difference.
Securing our borders and keeping hordes of marauders from streaming across is the quintessential function of government. It is what we pay billions of dollars to government to do, and it is not getting done. When someone breaks into your house, it is up to you whether or not to have them arrested or take pity on them. For myself, I will have them arrested first, and then take pity on them by reducing the charges (if warranted). Forcibly breaking into another’s home is never okay, and must be discouraged by every reasonable means to make it stop. Once that is done and you have control over who can come in and who must stay out, you will be more disposed to open your door to neighbors and share the largess you’ve created. It is your prerogative because it is your home and not the common property of all.
The wealth and the advantages of our country are not something that we inherited with the territory. They were not here before men came to turn raw materials into something that sustains millions of people in comfort. They are the effects of our labors and those of our forbearers. As such, they are ours to squander, husband, hoard, or share out. As well off as we are, we do not have so much that we can feed, clothe, and house the entire planet. If we do, and allow legions of poor to swarm over us, it will only result in the destruction of that wealth and the breakdown of that society that makes it possible. If that were to happen, those legions of illegals will find themselves in worse condition than now; and we with them. They will still live in countries that are poor and oppressed, and will no longer have the bounty that flows from us. They have, in their own countries, comparable resources and opportunities, and it is only the chaos of their societies and corrupt political systems that hold them down. Steve is right to say that is where the problem is and that is where things need to be fixed.
No country in the world does more to help the poor than this one. No other country has borders as open or more welcoming to those seeking a better life. Be content to do what you can within reason. But, to stay as good as we are, we need to retain control over the unprecedented capacity that comes with ownership and sovereignty; and to do that, we have to screen who and how many and how fast others may come in. The idealistic notions of church and utopian ideas of borderless society are fine in the abstract, but they should not determine the policy of nations nor put whole nations of people at risk.
Comment by Bob Stapler | March 17, 2006
A major issue here is how many people can the U.S. economy support. There are also environmental issues of having too many people relying on an ecosystem. I live in Texas. Much of Texas is an inhospitable environment for human existence. It is only through the tremendous effort of our forbearers that Texas has become a magnet for illegals. How many people want to come to Texas to take advantage of what we have built here? Of course I am in favor of immigration, which built this country. But I think the American people should have the say-so as to who comes here.
There are an estimated 10-12 million illegals in the U.S. now and already the health, education, and criminal justice systems are creaking under the load. If open borders are religiously required, how many more people do the Catholic Charities want to come to the U.S.? 10 million, 100 million, 1 or 2 billion? As Bob Stapler said in a previous post, “If we do, and allow legions of poor to swarm over us, it will only result in the destruction of that wealth and the breakdown of that society that makes it possible. If that were to happen, those legions of illegals will find themselves in worse condition than now; and we with them.” What is the level of illegal immigration at which the Catholic Charities say enough is enough? Or do the Catholic Charities wish to utterly crush the United States?
Comment by Ed Cooney | March 19, 2006
You have got to be kidding me. The Catholic church only wants these people here because most of them are Catholic. The Catholic church's motives are completely selfish and have nothing to do with Christianity. Shame on them!
Comment by smarts | April 6, 2006