Immigration Restriction

[Confiteor_Deo]

Most Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S. come from countries that either have corrupt governments, oppressive cartels, or outright civil wars.

So the better question is “Is it sinful to refuse to accept Refugees?”

Yes, that is something to consider, although I was mostly focusing on legal immigration.

I don’t consider people that have broken into this country as refugees. I see refugees as those who are requesting permission to come into America to flee from oppressive governments or persecution. For these people, I think they should be allowed to enter but not in huge quantities as I’m sure many other governments will be pleased to welcome them as well. If they have already broken in, we should probably not send them back to persecution but try to make them citizens.

 

[pnewton]

but I know that areas that are filled with many Mexicans tend to have more violence and drugs.

Here are two articles which shed light on this myth.
usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/16/voices-gomez-undocumented-immigrant-crime-san-francisco-shooting/30159479/

wsj.com/articles/the-mythical-connection-between-immigrants-and-crime-1436916798

 

[pnewton]

I was afraid of that when I asked this question. That’s why I was hoping that saying the US would get more specific answers. I am bad at making judgments in matters like this in which there are many factors that go into it. I suppose I will have to ask a priest to get a final answer.

No one is good at making judgments in every area. One can always read what the Church has written, or locally, what the bishops here have written and said about U.S. immigration specifically.

 

[pnewton]

Most Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S. come from countries that either have corrupt governments, oppressive cartels, or outright civil wars.

So the better question is “Is it sinful to refuse to accept Refugees?”

This is an interesting point. I am fairly certain that we must consider illegal immigrants as migrants, at least that is the consensus. Yet the more Donald Trump, (and others that keep waving the banner of the violent Mexican immigrant) rails against the drug cartels leaking their murder and mayhem across the border, the more the re-classification of migrants to refugee becomes feasible. In this case, certain legal protections are required under international treaty. How ironic if the rhetoric were to drive us to the opposite of what Trump wants.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Here are two articles which shed light on this myth.
usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/16/voices-gomez-undocumented-immigrant-crime-san-francisco-shooting/30159479/

wsj.com/articles/the-mythical-connection-between-immigrants-and-crime-1436916798

Thank you for these articles.

No one is good at making judgments in every area. One can always read what the Church has written, or locally, what the bishops here have written and said about U.S. immigration specifically.

I have not read what the Bishops have said of the matter since they don’t seem to always be too clear. For example, I believed that the death penalty was a mortal sin in America since the Bishops spoke out against it. Then, just a few Sundays ago, Father informed us that the state has the right to the death penalty when it is done for the common good, which may be as simple as setting an example. Thenceforth, I just focused on the catechisms for direction. It was difficult for my family to adhere to the Church because of the Bishops’ position on the death penalty which was assumed to be mandatory for us to believe as well.

 

[pnewton]

Thank you for these articles.

Thenceforth, I just focused on the catechisms for direction. It was difficult for my family to adhere to the Church because of the Bishops’ position on the death penalty which was assumed to be mandatory for us to believe as well.

That is fine, if you are okay with that. I thought you wanted something more specific for the United States. If the unified voice of every bishop in America on the topic of immigration is difficult for you, then I would suggest asking us as a bunch of wildly diverse laypeople with more opinions than facts will serve no purpose.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

That is fine, if you are okay with that. I thought you wanted something more specific for the United States. If the unified voice of every bishop in America on the topic of immigration is difficult for you, then I would suggest asking us as a bunch of wildly diverse laypeople with more opinions than facts will serve no purpose.

I do want something more specific for the US, and I have found that people here on this forum seem to have more precise and clear answers than many Bishops give on a lot of issues. I simply do not think the Bishops need to be listened to about everything that may legitimately be disagreed upon and so I wanted to hear the other viewpoints that lay Catholics had.

 

[pnewton]

I do want something more specific for the US, and I have found that people here on this forum seem to have more precise and clear answers than many Bishops give on a lot of issues. I simply do not think the Bishops need to be listened to about everything that may legitimately be disagreed upon and so I wanted to hear the other viewpoints that lay Catholics had.

Well, that is my view point. The Catholic Church exercises moral authority through bishops, not the laity. Also, the Holy Father has spoken quite about our responsibility to immigrants, if one wants answers from a Catholic perspective. Other view points might be more “lay” than Catholic. Here is on of his statements:

I would also like to draw attention to the tens of thousands of children who migrate alone, unaccompanied, to escape poverty and violence: This is a category of migrants from Central America and Mexico itself who cross the border with the United States under extreme conditions and in pursuit of a hope that in most cases turns out to be vain. They are increasing day by day. This humanitarian emergency requires, as a first urgent measure, these children be welcomed and protected. These measures, however, will not be sufficient, unless they are accompanied by policies that inform people about the dangers of such a journey and, above all, that promote development in their countries of origin. Finally, this challenge demands the attention of the entire international community so that new forms of legal and secure migration may be adopted.

 

[pnewton]

Here are some instructions from the Church:

usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/migrants-refugees-and-travelers/quotes-rights-migrants-refugees.cfm For example:

:black_medium_small_square:We call upon all people of good will, but Catholics especially, to welcome the newcomers in their neighborhoods and schools, in their places of work and worship, with heartfelt hospitality, openness, and eagerness both to help and to learn from our brothers and sisters of whatever religion, ethnicity, or background. Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

A fuller listing for the Catholic who seeks answers from the Church.

usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/

There may be people here with answers that seem clear and more precise (“Send 'em all packing” is clear** and **precise), but such answers will trade for that precision and enter the realm of purely personal opinion.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Here are some instructions from the Church:

usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/migrants-refugees-and-travelers/quotes-rights-migrants-refugees.cfm For example:

A fuller listing for the Catholic who seeks answers from the Church.

usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/

There may be people here with answers that seem clear and more precise (“Send 'em all packing” is clear** and **precise), but such answers will trade for that precision and enter the realm of purely personal opinion.

Thank you for the links. I will take them into consideration.

 

[sem4951]

So if I support LEGAL immigration, but I oppose ILLEGAL “immigration”, am I committing a mortal sin?

 

[pnewton]

So if I support LEGAL immigration, but I oppose ILLEGAL “immigration”, am I committing a mortal sin?

There is not sin in supporting political solutions in different ways. There can be sinful motives, which no one can know but God alone, but which our spiritual leaders can help us understand.