Immigration, Deportation, and Catholicism

[NormW]

I don’t understand the “confusion” on this issue !! Immigration laws are straightforward, and are in place to dignify, honor and respect for a country’s borders. It’s a law that defines a county’s sovereignity and it’s borders. I don’t think I need to elaborate any further about honoring a country’s law !!! It is against the law to illegally enter into any country. Breaking a law is a SIN, especially when you break it “KNOWINGLY”. Is it OK to rob a cake from a bakery because you are hungry & poor ? DEFINITELY NOT !!
If the poor and hungry in a Country need help, we can definitely help through the hundreds of charitable organizations. Breaking a law is never TOLERABLE, in fact, it should be CONDEMNED.
PLEASE DON"T MIX CHARITY WITH LEGALIZING “ILLEGALS” !

I would disagree with you about breaking the law being a sin. Jesus broke the law of the Sabbath. (John 5:17–18) Also we wouldn’t say people breaking the law when it came to slavery was a sin. The ignorance of mans’ law doesn’t take precedent over what is right and just according to God.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Graciew,

Sorry for the delay in responding - but, let me get to the heart of the matter.

I understand that people flee oppressive conditions seeking freedom virtually anywhere they can find it or get to it.

I also understand that each nation has laws that are designed (usually) for the safety of the citizens of that particular country.

Breaking US Immigration laws is not a sin as Norm W identified - and, I agree with that statement. But, it is still a criminal act and one that subject someone to the force of law. But, before one is caught - they were in hiding and lived in fear of being caught. This means that they were probably subjected to the illegal activities of others, were stolen from and lived the kind of life they had hoped to leave.

Ultimately, one can not have a nation of laws if they are not enforced. Trying to keep a law abiding citizenry is not easy for any country - esentially inviting people in who have begun by breaking the law is just asking for more trouble.

There are no easy answers - actually, since these positions are not compatable with one another - there are probably no answers that are acceptable by all groups. We just had an election where the current US President has effectively and publicly determined which immigration laws he will enforce. If the idea was to get the Latino Vote - well, I guess it was a good move. Now, we all must live with that decision. But, it certainly does not mean it is right. The President is to enforce the laws passed by Congress - not interpret them (that is for Courts) and determined what he will and will not do. This is essentially a dictatorship with the form of a democracy.

Personally, the only real answer I can see is for people to play by the rules as they are establsihed. Breaking the rules makes a mockery of the law and shows as truly foolish and hopeless those people are who did obey the law and obtained legal entry into the US

God bless

Tom,here are my thoughts.Our country has many illegal inmigrants who come and go depending on how proffitable exchange is for them,what they think they can expect vs what they really find,etc.We can´t really tell now who is legal and who is illegal.But this is also reflected in the citizenship arena,many are citizens by birth/like you are here,example) but pay no taxes.We may say that this situation has been happening throughout the years.
Our main issue is safety,and lack of jobs,but illegal only add to legal.What citizens do is about the same you do here.But there is much more corruption,criminals come in one door and leave next day by the same one,police are limited in resources,judicial system is slow or linked to political…but I do not believe I am the most qualified to describe the situation.
Illegal people do come to the country,and run the fate of our poorest people,they set up homes who are much worse than the ones they had in their own country,they gather round main cities,live crowded,without any type of safety,blinded by the flashes of stories of prosperity that are not true.Some do come for criminal purposes too,same as here.They do speak our language.
I can tell you what we do at our parrish if you wish.This I would know a little better how to answer.
God bless you.

 

[Tigg]

I would disagree with you about breaking the law being a sin. Jesus broke the law of the Sabbath. (John 5:17–18) Also we wouldn’t say people breaking the law when it came to slavery was a sin. The ignorance of mans’ law doesn’t take precedent over what is right and just according to God.

I’d like to take this a step further and have someone explain to me as to how it is spiritually beneficial to break a law under cover of darkness, while the Catechism admonishes they must respect and obey the laws of the host country. Or how it is spiritually enlightening to stay hidden in the shadows, place one’s children in danger, or live in secrecy on a daily basis while simultaneously ignoring how these actions are adversely affecting others and the common good. I mean, the whole idea is contrary to living in the light of God’s truth. I wish the bishops would address this as it encompasses morality without consideration of any political preferences.

 

[Psalm_51]

I would disagree with you about breaking the law being a sin. Jesus broke the law of the Sabbath. (John 5:17–18) Also we wouldn’t say people breaking the law when it came to slavery was a sin. The ignorance of mans’ law doesn’t take precedent over what is right and just according to God.

Hogwash! False comparison.

 

[Bill1940]

Hogwash! False comparison.

An unjust law is no law. ~St.Augustine The Romans forbade the Jews to bear arms but Peter carried a sword and Our Lord did not rebuke for carrying it against the unjust Roman law. Our Lord also said the time will come when we may need to sell our cloak to buy a sword. Now, I know this is a bit off the thread but I cannot abide it being said we must obey all manmade laws. The HHS mandate is another case in point. We have a duty to disobey that one. The immigration laws are an obscene mess due to lack of enforcement and in that they do not adequately address the situation. Before anyone jumps to a wrong conclusion, I am not a liberal, just a conservative Catholic seeking to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with my God.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Psalm51,

You can be more charitable than that. Why not just explain why you disagree.

If you want a better analogy, what do you think would happen if a bunch of us non-Italian speaking US guys just started to pitch tents in Vatican City. And then start demanding that things be printed in English. What do you think the Swiss Guard would do?

God bless

Hogwash! False comparison.