Am I a bad Catholic if I support laws on immigration?

[Don_Tanna]

It’s well known that American has been the goal of illegal immigrants from Mexico, Central American and other countries as well for years. Now we are seeing war refugees from the Middle-East flood into Europe.

If we are told to accept immigrants regardless, many of whom are unskilled or unable to speak the local language, would it not harm the existing infrastructure and economy of the host country?

Thanks,
DT

 

[pianistclare]

Well stated Deacon.
God bless.

 

[Memaw]

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me."

Are we still this country or have become something else, something . . . less?

Those people came in legally, including my dad and his parents and sister. And they DID learn English and became hard working citizens legally. BIG difference!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[phil19034]

What Deacon said!

The non-Catholic right often twists what the bishops say about immigration and the liberal (heretical) Catholic left often twists what the bishops say too.

We have an obligation to have a system that allows people (who are honest, hard working, moral people looking for a better life) to legally immigrate to the United States. That is what America is.

However, we also have a right to protect our borders against criminals and other people who illegally come to the United States.

The problem is “what to do with the children?” When an illegal comes into the United States and has a child on US soil, that child is an American citizen. What do you do when you catch the illegal immigrant?

If they are violent criminals, I believe you can deport the parent(s), keeping the child here because it would be no different than sending the parent to jail. But what do you do with the peaceful illegal parent?
– if you deport the family, you wind up deporting an American citizen too (not good)
– if you deport just the parent(s), you break up a loving family (not good)
– if you do nothing, then there are no consequences for breaking the law (not good)
– so what do you do?
---- My opinion is that for peaceful illegals with American children (you “fine” the parents with giving them a sentence of community service, matching their skills.
-------- planting trees, picking up trash, cutting grass/landscaping on public lands, being a janitor, etc. In addition to their regular job, they have to do X hours of community service. That time could be spread out over years, if they could only commit to a few hours a week.

The point is, we can’t just cast a blanket and say “we don’t want Mexicans here.” That’s racist. AND it’s discriminatory against Catholics.

Throughout American history, the immigrants the people were always against the most were Catholic. The Irish, Italians, Polish, and now Mexicans. This is a recurring theme in America. Food for thought.

God Bless!

 

[phil19034]

Agreed, my great grandfather never spoke English. My grandfather and his siblings spoke Italian with him. And this wasn’t in a big city, but in the Pocono Mountains in PA.

 

[pianistclare]

It’s my firm belief (based only by things in my neck of the woods) that people who are angry about immigrants don’t actually know any.
The immigrants at our parish work HARD. Really hard. They take the jobs that no one else wants. They never miss Mass. Their children fill the Religious Ed classes. Twice as many in fact.
They identify proudly as Catholic. They likely will be the ones supporting and continuing the ministry of the church very soon, as the American parents and children find Mass and Catholicism fairly “optional”. Sad, but very true. *Many of our Diocesan seminarians are Hispanic. The Archbishop is delighted to have them. *Maybe it’s because the immigrants can’t afford the fancy lessons, teams, team uniforms, equipment. Maybe because they don’t have rides to all the extracurriculars that take the place of church. Who knows? I do know that they love the Catholic Church. I’m saddened when I see other denominations do far more to help them settle, get their papers in order, and yes, teach them English while we sit back and just complain.
However, our parish and the one south of us try hard to help them to get legal and get affordable housing.
We have a class at my parish where the English speakers teach English, and they in turn learn Spanish from the immigrants. It’s a cooperative effort, and many good friendships have been built in the process, as well as a mutual respect for each other’s situation.

 

[Theo520]

Nothing wrong with our current immigration laws. We have programs for Guest Workers, Family Reunification, and for people seeking asylum. If our laws are not perfect, the focus should be on changing what’s legal, not support ignoring our laws (very destructive)

We have always supported countries/people in distress, but inviting everyone there into our home doesn’t fix the problems they are having with their Govt.

It’s well known that American has been the goal of illegal immigrants from Mexico, Central American and other countries as well for years. Now we are seeing war refugees from the Middle-East flood into Europe.

If we are told to accept immigrants regardless, many of whom are unskilled or unable to speak the local language, would it not harm the existing infrastructure and economy of the host country?

Thanks,
DT

 

[Songcatcher]

Very well said. I would add that it isn’t even just the big cities where you see this. My husband and I are frequent cross country travelers having driven coast to coast ten times in as many years. We travel mostly off interstates and through small towns. We are constantly coming across small towns that show obvious signs of the immigrants who settled there. This isn’t just an item or two on a menu, it’s pervasive throughout the town-the architecture, the religion, the food, the names of streets and stores-really every aspect.

Many of the people in these towns can speak the language of their immigrant ancestors although usually not fluently. I have had many a small town diner waitress tell me about growing up with a German or Polish or Italian grandmother who spoke no English as I eat a wonderful strudel or kolasche or cannoli. I love this about America!

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Except we’re not talking about “individuals seeking entry.” We’re dealing with millions who have already poured across an unenforced border in violation of reasonable immigration laws, and who demand services unimagined in the days of Ellis Island. Nothing in the Emma Lazarus poem or the Catechism requires a nation to suspend its security concerns or to raise valid questions as to the financial or social impact of 14 million or more people descending on an area.

 

[Don_Tanna]

What of the parable of the 10 virgins in the Gospel according to St. Matthew? Christ spoke of 10 virgins, 5 of whom were wise and 5 were foolish. When the 5 foolish virgins realized they lacked enough oil they implored the 5 wise virgins for some of theirs. The 5 wise virgins refused saying that if they gave some of theirs away they may not have enough for themselves.

I certainly understand charity but if we as Christians are always required to give then what is the lesson of this parable?

Sincerely,
DT

 

[Rhubarb]

And then what about giving the beggar not just your cloak but your shirt as well?

 

[dsfgsadfgsdfg]

Nothing wrong with our current immigration laws. We have programs for Guest Workers, Family Reunification, and for people seeking asylum. If our laws are not perfect, the focus should be on changing what’s legal, not support ignoring our laws (very destructive)

We have always supported countries/people in distress, but inviting everyone there into our home doesn’t fix the problems they are having with their Govt.

I agree.

The news (reputable ones) from many countries is breathtaking when you see that there are hundreds of thousands fleeing. Hiding amongst the truly scared people who are fleeing are some who are truly dangerous.

It would be nice to see all of the affected countries, including the USA, work together to help these people fight for their country(ies) so they may feel safe again. The evil in these country(ies) must be addressed. Steering the focus away from addressing that issue seems to be a driving force for some. What has and is occurring in some of the countries that is driving its people away is pure evil and changing the name around from one thing to the other for political correctness doesn’t change that.

 

[dsfgsadfgsdfg]

I’m saying there is more than 1 issue here. From your reaction, I’m assuming that wasn’t suppose to be addressed. I thought we were allowed to express our thoughts, but perhaps I am confused. But thanks for the attack and trying to re-phrase what I said.

Sourcing the NYT? Good gravy, I thought all on this earth new exactly which agendas it backed. The author of referenced Hill article has been pushing immigration reform for many years. Hardly unbiased in this situation. His social media accounts have this, “I’m a Liberal Democrat. I’m voting for Rand Paul in 2016…I’m for immigration reform…Paul is a self-described moderate on immigration…”

Yes, facts do indeed matter.

 

[Sarcelle]

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me."

Are we still this country or have become something else, something . . . less?

Those people came in legally, including my dad and his parents and sister. And they DID learn English and became hard working citizens legally. BIG difference!! God Bless, Memaw

I agree.

For some reason the press does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants and slander those who are against illegal immigration as being racists.

 

[Sarcelle]

It’s my firm belief (based only by things in my neck of the woods) that people who are angry about immigrants don’t actually know any.
The immigrants at our parish work HARD. Really hard. They take the jobs that no one else wants. They never miss Mass. Their children fill the Religious Ed classes. Twice as many in fact.
They identify proudly as Catholic. They likely will be the ones supporting and continuing the ministry of the church very soon, as the American parents and children find Mass and Catholicism fairly “optional”. Sad, but very true. *Many of our Diocesan seminarians are Hispanic. The Archbishop is delighted to have them. *Maybe it’s because the immigrants can’t afford the fancy lessons, teams, team uniforms, equipment. Maybe because they don’t have rides to all the extracurriculars that take the place of church. Who knows? I do know that they love the Catholic Church. I’m saddened when I see other denominations do far more to help them settle, get their papers in order, and yes, teach them English while we sit back and just complain.
However, our parish and the one south of us try hard to help them to get legal and get affordable housing.
We have a class at my parish where the English speakers teach English, and they in turn learn Spanish from the immigrants. It’s a cooperative effort, and many good friendships have been built in the process, as well as a mutual respect for each other’s situation.

Are those immigrants legal or illegal?

 

[pianistclare]

Are those immigrants legal or illegal?

Mostly without papers.
They are fine people. Not rapists, not thieves, not criminals as some would paint them. Just people trying to build a life for themselves, like you and I.
Law-abiding, Catholic Christians.

My Irish husband is a recent immigrant. No one bothers him because he’s not a Mexican.
Everyone find his Irish ethnicity “charming”.
He has never been accused or labeled as a thief, a criminal, nor a rapist. But it DID take him $10,000 in fees and 5 years to get residency.
It’s not as easy as people make it out to be.
If most immigrants even HAD 10,000 bucks, they’d stay home. They’d be considered rich in their homelands.

 

[phil19034]

My pastor once said in a homily that our parish has a few of illegal immigrants, and none of them speak Spanish. They are from Western Europe; Ireland and the UK, and from Canada.

 

[SuperLuigi]

It’s well known that American has been the goal of illegal immigrants from Mexico, Central American and other countries as well for years. Now we are seeing war refugees from the Middle-East flood into Europe.

If we are told to accept immigrants regardless, many of whom are unskilled or unable to speak the local language, would it not harm the existing infrastructure and economy of the host country?

Thanks,
DT

If anyone thinks American & Hungarian immigration policy and laws are mean, they ought to see what Mexico and Canada have done…

But to answer your question, the Church has made it very clear that immigration requires a balance of compassion and rule of law in terms of border control.

So, no, you’re not a bad Catholic as long as you understand the need for immigration and don’t want to exclude someone on the basis of gender or race.

It seems to me like you are for rule of law and want to avoid importing people who want to take advantage and destroy civilization from within.

 

[SuperLuigi]

It’s my firm belief (based only by things in my neck of the woods) that people who are angry about immigrants don’t actually know any.

This is a logical fallacy. One doesn’t have to know immigrants to know the issue, and I don’t see people who are angry other than the people who aren’t getting into Hungary and just seemed to expect a free pass.

Look, some of the liberal secularists would clearly like Americans to believe that it’s only hard-working Mexican families crossing the Southern border. The fact is that people from all over the place cross over that border, often at their leisure.

And the situation with the EU is VERY different. Europe has major immigration problems that the media often cover up, and their immigrants are not assimilating.

Now, there are some things in the EU that they should assimilate, like so-called gay “marriage”, but they often live in very isolated communities.

 

[Theo520]

Where we have failed the people is in not setting up ‘safety zones’ on the border near the conflict, places where we provide protection, food, shelter, and medical care but not the automatic pretense of a new life in the west, thus encouraging economic migrants.