Comments on: Immigration Reform

By: Mike Callery

Mike Callery — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:48:27 +0000

Your Excellency:
With all due respect, you are badly misinformed on this one….we are talking about ILLEGAL immigrants whereas you are speaking of LEGAL immigrants…big difference!!!
Our country was founded and can only stand on laws that are meant to be respected and enforced when broken. The federal law and the oath that all federal officials take is to defend our great nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We are speaking of laws being broken when it comes to this issue. So with all due respect your excellency, you are off base on this opinion.
God bless,
Mike

By: Dwight Spivey

Dwight Spivey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:55:38 +0000

Archbishop Dolan,
Many of the faithful in the preceding comments have repeatedly asked for clarification from you on a number of issues in this article. We have all bent over backwards to show our respect for you and the office you hold. I must say, your silence in responding to us is appalling and troublesome, and shows a lack of respect for lay faithful who may not agree with your every word. I understand you are one of the busiest men in the nation, but when you make these kind of statements you should expect some feedback, and respond accordingly to those who hold you and your opinions in such high esteem.

By: Sue Widemark

Sue Widemark — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:19:06 +0000

Dearest Archbishop Dolan, just to let you know, I have quoted and sent your wonderful article (above) to several people. You are such a light in these times of darkness. Thanks for being YOU and sharing as you do. love you a lot!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:55:55 +0000

It is very sad to read so many negative responses in regards to the immigration reform. What everyone fails to remember is that these people are humans. They are our fellow brothers and sisters. It is very sad that it is basically their skin color and their need to survive that is being questioned. There was a time when everyone in the history of this country was an immigrant. Whether it is from the 1600′s or 2010 we are all immigrants (legal or illegal). The only true natives are the Native American’s. Sadly the Native American’s were basically wiped out and their land taken from them. With that type of history we should all feel ashamed. And yes there are always bad people and there are always good people but to say \they are illegal immigrants they are bad!\ It is absolutely ridiculous and very sad that our immigrant based country has come to such a disgraceful tactic such as immigration reform. Look at the American jails, most of them are American citizens, it just so happens they were born here. Even if you are illegal and you want a better life for you and your family and you do the dirtiest job being paid the most menial wages so the US citizens can have a better life. Honestly, most if not all US citizens would never do the jobs illegal aliens will do. Basically it all boils down to racism and that is just sad. Do you think Jesus would turn away all these people? I hope that we can pray for understanding and peace for all the immigrants, US Citizens against immigrants and the law makers.

By: Sherry Guess

Sherry Guess — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:20:49 +0000

Thank you Archbishop Dolan for speaking out on this issue in a most Christian manner, regardless of all the panicked folks who cannot see the forest for the trees on this fiasco that has been going on for 40 years with no apparent end in sight. Americans have succumbed in large part to the “scarcity” claims of the bigoted. Wake up Catholic Christians and unite to do as Jesus would have us do. The brothers and sisters who have come here in search of freedom and a better life for their families need our help, not condemnation. Keep speaking out for Catholic Christian values.

By: Gabriel Austin

Gabriel Austin — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:32:43 +0000

It is disappointing that the two cardinals used inflammatory language about the Arizona bill. It is, indeed, somewhat demagogic, as though they are running for office.

The Arizona law is, after all, but a repeat of the federal law established under the regime of FDR. Did they never hear of the green card which all resident aliens were required to carry and to renew every year?
It seems not.

That our immigration laws need some repair has been obvious for many years. It is to these that the cardinals should be addressing themselves. Fix the federal law and the Arizona law will be taken care of.

By: Jim Simon

Jim Simon — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:26:54 +0000

With all due respect, quite a few of the faithful await your response to the discussions above. In reading the USCCB’s 2003 letter, I found this, “The Church recognizes the right of a sovereign state to control its borders in furtherance of the common good. It also recognizes the right of human persons to migrate so that they can realize their God-given rights. These teachings complement each other.” (USCCB, “Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope” 2003)

While those teachings do complement each other, the reality of our current situation is not complementary. The US is not able to exercise its sovereign right to control its borders. As a result, the common good is increasingly threatened and undermined; not by those truly seeking to migrate due to dire circumstances, but by those seeking to wreak havoc in both the US and Mexico (violent drug lords and human smugglers).

Please consider the plea of several in this discussion forum – we implore you to shed light on the Church’s immigration position. Where is the balance in your “Immigration Reform” essay between charity and truth, between mercy and justice?

As the Holy Father stated in Caritas in Veritate (para # 6) and has since repeated many times (including on the airplane on his way to Fatima) – charity demands justice.

With Respect and Charity,
Jim Simon

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:44:11 +0000

Here’s a scenario: What if thousands of unemployed people in the U.S. decided to sneak into Vatican City to find work. Most of the illegal immigrants are good people who want to support their families and are willing to do work that Vatican City residents “just won’t do.” Would the Pope allow them to stay and give them amnesty? If the Swiss Guard asked the illegal immigrants for identification would the guard be reprimanded for racial profiling because these people spoke with American English accents? And if the guard asked the illegal immigrants to leave, would the illegal immigrants get away with protesting and demanding their “rights”? I think the Vatican City guards would treat the illegal immigrants humanely and with dignity as the guards escorted them out of the city. Vatican City would not tolerate the breaking of its laws that are put in place to protect its citizens and its guests who entered legally. The Pope reaches out to people in need, but in their own country. I doubt he would let every needy person move to Vatican City. We also need to reach out to people in other countries, but we can’t let everyone move to and stay in the U.S., especially people who break the law by sneaking in illegally.

By: Marykay Johnson

Marykay Johnson — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:51:41 +0000

Dear Archbishop Dolan, With all due respect…there is legal…and illegal. I have helped someone come to this county..legally, and feel those who should be most outraged are the legal immigrants, who played by the rules and did the right thing. “Work hard for thier legalization”..yes…a warm welcome for legal immigrants..you bet. There is nothing undignified about a green card…my daughter in law is VERY PROUD of hers.

By: Tom Qualey

Tom Qualey — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:22:00 +0000

Your Grace,

In my opinion, there are several issues that appear to have been mis-identified in your blog. While historically accurate, anti-immigrant fears or outright xenophobia have been a central issue for many groups such as the Know-Nothings and the KKK, but the Arizona law appears quite different to me for the following reasons:

1- It is addressed to ILLEGAL immigrants – the “Open Door” policy that the US once had is not in effect and various peoples from various cuntries queue up for legal admission to this country (something the Know-Nothings and Klan would have opposed)

2- Today’s ILLEGAL immigrants, use resources (schools, hospitals, roads, etc.) at the expense of the citizens who pay for these services. While some may argue that when these ILLEGALS buy items they pay taxes – they do not pay income tax and hence are a drain on the society.

3- When I travel abroad, I am expected to have my passport with me at all times. In this country I carry my driver’s license with me at all times. The burden to actually prove one’s citizenship is common in many countries. The fact that these individuals have chosen to break the law, and, in so doing cost the citizens of Arizone money to pay for their health care, schooling and providing services is surely seen as an injustice to the LEGAL citizens.

But, what most concerns me is this blind faith that the same Congress that has now passed a law funding abortions (notwithstanding President Obama’s statement) is going to come up with a law to address ILLEGAL immigration? Arizona has taken the initiative here and we really need to see how this develops.

While joining a law suit to stop this law and encouraging a boycott is your option, I think it would have been better to come up with actual principles on how to address those who flout established US immigration laws. Punishing the citizens of Arozona is an option, but remember, it is those ILLEGALS who will also be punished by this action. In the scheme of justice – punishing everyone must call out to you as improper and unjust.