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Immigration proposal merits support

Wednesday, May 30 at 12:01 AM

By The Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, archbishop of Denver

When you’re a priest for 37 years, you hear a lot of wild and angry comments. I don’t mean in confession. I mean right out in the open. For a lot of people, the current debate on immigration reform drills directly into the nerve of a bad tooth. And what squirts out is an e-mail like this: “There is a special place in hell for you. (Expletive) you and your illegal, wetback church.”

That’s a real e-mail. I received it just last week, and it’s only one of many others just like it. I’ve received more unhinged, vindictive mail on immigration than any other issue in my decade as archbishop of Denver. The Native American part of me — I have Potawatomi blood on my late mother’s side — is always tempted to respond that “illegal immigration” has a very long and embarrassing tradition in this country. But that would achieve nothing. Name-calling, exaggeration and posturing are exactly what we don’t need in solving our country’s immigration problems.

Americans are right to worry about public security, jobs, respect for the law and the solvency of our public institutions. People who seek justice for immigrants sometimes downplay these worries, or write them off as veiled prejudice. This is a mistake. These are legitimate concerns and proper areas for debate. But they need to be weighed in light of other legitimate concerns.

Millions of undocumented workers already live here. They already contribute to American life. Most are innocent, hard-working people. They deserve more than a daily stream of overheated anxiety from talk show hosts. If we conduct the immigration debate in a stupid and thuggish way, we will get stupid and thuggish laws.

The immigration crisis will not go away by calling anyone names. It won’t disappear with drastic but ultimately impractical penalties and threats. Serious immigration reform will only come from intelligent, realistic compromise. That’s the job of our political leaders. Our elected officials, representing the interests of their constituents, need to seek common ground.

Colorado’s Sen. Ken Salazar and other leaders from both political parties have taken the right course in advancing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (S. 1348) as an immigration-reform compromise. The compromise is not ideal. The senators who support this legislation have taken ferocious heat from both sides of the debate. But S. 1348 does push a vital reform process forward.

Many groups, including the American Catholic bishops, oppose some elements of the current legislation and hope for changes during the legislative discussion. Nonetheless, the Senate debate on immigration, which will continue into early June, is the start of the reform effort, not the end of it. It should be welcomed and supported in that light. We can’t keep saying we have an urgent problem, and then do nothing about it.

The current Senate legislation is not an amnesty. It is not a giveaway. It provides no quick and easy road to citizenship. It does not ignore U.S. security concerns. It is a rigorous bill that would, nonetheless, regularize the status of more than 12 million persons.

The legislation would also expedite the processing of many family members who have been waiting to join their loved ones for as long as 20 years. This would improve the lives of millions of our fellow human beings. It would also serve the needs of the American economy.

While areas of the proposed legislation do arguably need improvement, S. 1348 is a promising start.

Immigration reform needs to happen this year, since no one will be eager to handle it in an election year. We can no longer wait to address this pressing issue. Delaying a solution will only lead to more enforcement raids, bitter debate, confusion and resentment.

We need to get past the tribalism that makes the immigration issue so explosive and, at the same time, so intractable. We need to act now.

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 deserves our support.

READER COMMENTS

i'll start off with the fact that illegal immigration is a huge problem and should definitely be dealt with.
but, hello!
saying that they're all a bunch of criminals is number one: a generalization and not true for all of them. and number two: its not solving anything!
why are all of you so eager to put down people that you most likely dont even know???
is this what america is all about now?
i am disgusted to even read some of these comments, because i'm forced to call you fellow citizens.
a lot of these rude comments come from people who either dont want to or dont care to understand why these people are here in the first place.

a lot of you probably have pretty good lives, right?
and that's not surprising seeing as america is the land of abundance and opportunity.
so, take a second and think before getting all self righteous and blaming someone you dont even know for your own problems.
and as for committing crimes beyond coming here illegally?
wake up!
citizens commit the same crimes, so why does it make it so much worse when illegal immigrants do it?
they get arrested too and most likely get sent back to their original country.
so stop complaining and focus on something that really matters.

Posted by Rae on September 16, 2007 07:49 PM

We are all brothers and sisters under the same Father, our God.

We must follow the same teachings from the Word of God.

But, we are so divided !

Only God can judge

Let's put our trust in God !

Posted by Miguel on June 9, 2007 11:34 AM

Where's Madlyn Murray when we need her?

Posted by A on June 3, 2007 01:32 PM

Current Mexican Immigrants will retire at the same time the Social Security System is scheduled to go broke and it will, since 60% of immigrants are not even high school grads. They will not pay in enough to support the system. They won't pay the fines, most cities won't even turn them in if they know they are illegeal. At least 10-15% already here have committed crimes such as rape, robbery, murder, assault, fraud, etc. Most were released on probation and given court dates, but never showed up and are loose again to be repeaters. As far as the Catholics, Mexicans are not big supporters of their church. Other parishes in the diocese usually have to carry the expenses of those Mexicans .

Posted by S&G on June 2, 2007 08:28 PM

Sean..
If you don't like something in the radio or the tv turn the channel or turn off the radio, or
don't read these comments.!

Posted by ``a` on June 1, 2007 12:05 PM

Surprise! The comprehensive "amnesty for illegal aliens" bill contains a provision to build the North American Super Highway from deep in Mexico to Deep in Canada and it will dwarf the Front Range Super Slab. Can you say Super Property Condemnation? This Provision commences the formation of the North American Union that ends the sovereignty of the United States of America, and your American citizenship will be worthless. They never tell you the whole truth.

Posted by tom mcdonald on June 1, 2007 11:08 AM

Surprise! The comprehensive amnesty for illegal aliens bill contains a provision to build the North American Super Highway from Mexico to Canada that will dwarf the front range super slab highway, and commence the formation of the North American Union. This means goodbye to the sovereignty of the United States of America, and your American citizenship will be worthless. They never tell you the whole truth.

Posted by tom mcdonald on June 1, 2007 10:57 AM

The catholic church is sticking its nose where it doesn't belong once again.
As many readers have commented, the vision that the church sees in this is more money in its coffers from new recruits, and its flock of sheep expanding, that is the only reason they are pushing this so hard.
If they are so intent on becoming involved in this matter, (they are forgetting the law of seperation of church and state here in America) then they should loose their tax exempt status.
The very 1st thing an illegal does upon entering the USA is to start breaking its laws.
By entering illegally you are breaking the law. But I think that the majority of these illegals somehow feel that we owe them a living. Therefore they justify their illegal entry into our country with that assumption in mind. Or maybe they are just too stupid to realize they are breaking the laws of our country.
THIS NEW PLAN IS THE SAME OLD STUFF OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Enforce the laws on our books that are there already.

Posted by J W on June 1, 2007 09:00 AM

My 40 Acres.
The politicians don't understand that the american citizen has to rub elbows with these people,they don't live around them, so they don't care. What angers me is these so called leaders & activists and pro-illegal, and
try to get state&federal funds for MINORITIES, for programs..only cause it's for their illegal kids/youth. WHEN..ALL these years..the black and american hispanics...
needed programs..and incentives and a boost..to be able to 'come up in life'....They never lifted a finger to reach out to the black community.......TILL NOW. That's what you call Proverty Pimps and their Enablers.
Opportunist. Everyone is trying to make a buck in one way or another , by using these people. Be glad you don't live in L.A.
go to Terry Anderson talk show.com See it.

Posted by A on May 31, 2007 11:44 PM

I am so tired of the self-righteous jerks who hide behind some vague idea of "american" and use it to disguise their ugly and disgraceful racism and hatred. You ignorant nincompoops make me embarassed to be a "fellow" american and certainly make me sad for the fate of our once grand nation. You show what american values truly are. Selfishness, ignorance, hatred, self-aggrandizement and a complete lack of common sense. I have tried, as a born and bred christian and with a compassionate heart not to hate you people. But I can't do it. You represent the some of the worst qualities of the human race and would probably have been dressed in black and goose-stepping your way down the streets of Berlin 65 years ago. I wish there was somewhere to go to escape you and your poison, but your desire to re-make the entire world in your image has mase that a near impossibility. Thanks. What a bunch of winners.

Posted by Sean on May 31, 2007 04:44 PM

Here's something from the New Testament:
13:1 Let every person be submissive to the governing authorities

13:2 For (gavr) there is no authority except [that which is given] by God and those who are appointed by God.

13:3 Consequently (w{ste) the one who resists authority, opposes the institution of God, and those who do so will receive judgment on themselves.

13:4 For (gavr) rulers are not a fear to good work, but to evil [work] Do you want to not fear the authority? Do good and you will have praise from it.

.. and it goes on through Romans 13:7- read it yourselves. The meaning is clear and unambiguous.

Of course, today's Catholic Church doesn't care much about the either the Bible or civil law anyway, as pursuits such as the "sanctuary" movement clearly demonstrate. Just don't let them claim any moral authority on this issue; they don't have it.

Posted by David on May 31, 2007 01:51 PM

Catholic church is just like the whores in D.C. stick up for anyone contributing to the collection plate. Course they need to make back the money paid out for child abuse. Start paying taxes to make up for the BILLIONS spent on illegals, us taxpayers could use the help and the whores in Washington won't give us a break.

Posted by sam18 on May 31, 2007 04:23 AM

Since Chaput and other Catholic archbishops across the country have decided to do more than offer spiritual support for their superstitious followers by entering the political fray over illegal entry by illegal aliens; then the church should immediately lose tax exempt status and pay back taxes and fines.

Any church caught harboring illegal aliens under the guise of sanctuary shall be raided, the illegal aliens deported and the church with its assets seized. The proceeds would be used for immigration enforcement.

How much of a kickback for each illegal alien that enters the USA do you get Chaput?

When is the Catholic church going to clean up its Pervert Priests scandal Chaput? The church needs to clean up its hot stinking pile of crap before it tells America (Catholic & non-Catholic) what it needs to do. Oh that's right, the Catholic church will wait 500 years+/- and apologize for all the past mistakes of its pervert priests. Waiting centuries to atone for past screw ups is what the church does best (e.g. The Inquisition).

America (what's left of it) needs COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING LAWS, not amnesty for criminals under the guise of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Posted by QBT on May 31, 2007 01:59 AM

and there you have it, the very reason my parents left the catholic church. Hey Rev, how bout you support the rest of us who pay you.

Posted by mae on May 30, 2007 09:57 PM

Archbishop I am a strict Catholic and I totally disagree with your position. Fortunately all Catholics can feel free to ignore your exhortation to allow lawbreakers a free pass and can continue to work on getting rid of the problem by deportation, stiff fines for employers, loss of tax status for any who violate the law, and, finally, by imprisoning any and all enablers whether or not they are religious leaders or merely deluded. No one is above the law. Time to get rid of all politicians who think we are too stupid to remember what they have done to us with this attempt.

Posted by momma y on May 30, 2007 07:16 PM

Its the same agenda, its just packaged differently. In this case its a local religious leader who is using his religion, ethnicity and heritage to sway public opinion. It has nothing to do with the real problems this country is having with illegal immigration. Its deception. It is lipstick on that pig. As long as you believe that you can gloss over the issue, avoid that true responsibility and condemn and smother the real truth, nothing will ever change. In fact using his religion and heritage as a ( trick )crutch to promote a political agenda of this type is embarrassing for a man of his position.

Posted by John Campbell on May 30, 2007 04:43 PM

Boo and hiss to the Church. This is nothing but to get and keep more Catholic butts in the pews. The church depends on lots of breeding for lots of donations. If they cared about the world's poor they would drop the ban on birth control. What good is it to tell people to have lots of children they cannot afford to feed?

Posted by Karen on May 30, 2007 04:04 PM

The Catholic Church has become a blatant apologist for illegal immigrants. It cloaks its support for them in moral principles, but the real reason for its support is to maintain the cash flow from all the Catholic Mexicans and Hispanics. It is absolutely irrelevant if some illegals are "innocent and hard working." First of all they ain't innocent since they broke the law to get here, but we're supposed to overlook that fact because they're "hard-working"??!! If a criminal moved into your home and started mowing the lawn and taking out the garbage that means you have to let him stay??!!

Posted by Eric on May 30, 2007 03:45 PM

Catholic officials need to stay out of politics or lose their tax exempt status. This is undisguised lobbying on behalf of the corrupt Mexican government. Jesus Christ supported the rule of law - something that the bishop obviously does not. American bishops are reeling from a hemmorage of Catholics after the unending homosexual pedophile scandals and their refusal to take a hard line on excommunicating pro-abortionists like the Kennedys, Kerry, and numerous others. They feel the need to import millions of Mexicans, but the irony is that Mexicans are increasingly turning away from Catholicism, and a large number of illegal invaders are not religious at all. The Catholics suffer from the same delusional thinking as George W. Bush. The invading illegal hordes will never vote Republican, and they will not save the Catholic church in America. A short term boost in potential church members will result in a long term catastrophe for America. This bishop should instead instruct his illegal alien parishioners to obey the law and return to their families in Mexico, instead of parroting open-borders propaganda.

Posted by R LaBonte on May 30, 2007 03:38 PM

Sir;
With all due respect to your position.

Any "undocumented worker" as you call them is by definition here illegally. Its illegal to cross the border without permision... and its Illegal to work here without documentation.

To work here, they are either breaking the law by working in the underground economy, and thus not paying taxes, or they are working with a fake or stolen ID (a felony).

So, they have broken at LEAST two laws.

This bill will not even have them pay their BACK taxes, somthing for which I would be prosecuted, and some AMERICAN CITIZENS have gone to jail for.

If the rule of law is not upheld, chaos will follow... and Sir, with respect, why are you weighing in, AS A PRIEST, into politics? IMO they should revoke your tax exempt status.

Posted by Kyle on May 30, 2007 03:17 PM

In 1986 the politicians gave amnesty to MILLIONS of illegal aliens and promised to secure the borders and punish the employers that hire them.

Now, there are 12 MILLION MORE.

Today, the politicians want to give them amnesty and promise to secure the borders and punish the employers that hire them.

HOW STUPID DO THEY THINK WE ARE?

Posted by Steve Freedman on May 30, 2007 03:10 PM

Thank you Archbishop for offering a well thought out response to the loads of rhetoric. Immigration is a problem and it must be dealt with. The readers who offered their comments appear to forget that countless voices from the faith community (Not only Catholic) are also calling for comprehensive reform. What more can we expect from the faith community? It is our job to hash out the best possible solution to this complex problem, the faith community is only reminding us to look out for the humanity of those caught up in this problem. Whatever we decide, we must be comprehensive, humane and consistent. Thank you Archbishop for calling us all to dialogue and to the hard work of finding a solution.

Posted by Joseph Horejs on May 30, 2007 03:00 PM

"...beware false prophits..."

Posted by Rantly McTirade on May 30, 2007 02:58 PM

Let me get this straight??? Enforcing the law is "morally repellent"?? There are laws on the books; they have chosen to ignore them, as have you. Now you want to put even more complicated laws on the books and we are to expect you to enforce these? You and I know they won't and that this is truly amnesty!

1) They are here illegally and should be held accountable
2) Give them 6 months to self deport (they got here they can leave)
3) If they do not self deport there should be Proactive Enforcement and deportation
4) After the 6 months, if they are then found in the US they will be considered felons, will be deported, and can NEVER become citizens
5) No anchor babies, this must be eliminated
6) Fine business 10,000 for each case of employing an illegal alien
7) No sanctuary cities, towns, churches etc. Any one giving sanctuary receives NO federal funding for ANYTHING, churches etc would lose their tax exempt status
8) No instate tuition for illegals or any other state or federal benefits!
9) Secure the borders at all or any cost!

Gee, very simple, completely doable, and by the way, not all illegals are of Hispanic origin, not all have jobs, and the impact to the economy would be negligible!
It's time to fix the problem! This bill will only make it worse! Stop the political pandering! And the vote buying! Stop the Madness! FIX THE PROBLEM!!!!!!

This biil deserves NO support and should be rejected by ALL!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by John on May 30, 2007 02:56 PM

"The Native American part of me — I have Potawatomi blood on my late mother’s side — is always tempted to respond that 'illegal immigration' has a very long and embarrassing tradition in this country."

How very superior that His Majestic Holiness has indeed refrained from making such a childish remark.

I thank Almighty God that He has sent forth His spokesmen, the priests and bishops and especially the archbishops of the Holy Catholic Church to point out our filthy sinning and offer us a path to redemption in the form of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (S. 1348). God bless undocumented workers, Mexico, Ken Salazar, President Bush, Cardinal Law and The Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver.

Posted by ER on May 30, 2007 02:55 PM

Archbishop Chaput,

I don't understand why we are tribalists or unhinged just because we disagree with "regularlizing" 12 million illegals.

Giving these people legal status flat out sends the wrong message to others who aren't willing to obey American laws.

I'm not heartless. Today the Atlanta news reported on a GA Tech student who might have to drop out of school because of a new law requiring illegals to pay out of state tuition. Marco is a A+ student who was brought here by his parents at the age of 4. So he's done nothing wrong in my book. But his parents broke the law. They are the hard working types you spoke of.

I think we should figure out a way to allow people like Marco a way to truly become American, but what I've heard about this bill just doesn't seem to be the solution.

Why the rush now? Let's air out all the provisions and seriously talk this through. Every provision should be given careful consideration of the cost and consequences.

And everything should be to the benefit of America. We shouldn't compromise on that!

Peggy Noonan said it great in her recent column. Here's a quote: "We should close our borders. We should do whatever it takes to close them tight and solid. Will that take the Army? Then send the Army. Does it mean building a wall? Then build a wall, but the wall must have doors, which can be opened a little or a lot down the road once we know where we are. Should all legal immigration stop? No. We should make a list of what our nation needs, such as engineers and nurses, and then admit a lot of engineers and nurses. We should take in what we need to survive and flourish.

As we end illegal immigration, we should set ourselves to the Americanization of the immigrants we have. They haven't only joined a place of riches, it's a place of meaning. We must teach them what it is they've joined and why it is good and what is expected of them and what is owed. We stopped Americanizing ourselves 40 years ago. We've got to start telling the story of our country again."

Posted by Jeffrey on May 30, 2007 02:23 PM

If nothing else, Archbishop Chaput's essay flushed a lot of crazies out of the woodwork, going by published online comments made in response to the essay.

Posted by Dave Livingston on May 30, 2007 02:22 PM

Richard nailed it. Just one more piece of the puzzle to undermine the sovereignty of this country.

"The current Senate legislation is not an amnesty. It is not a giveaway."

Well, any program that doesn't require them to return home to apply to re-enter sure sounds like an amnesty to me. Besides, there is NO incentive in the bill for them to comply. Most will just stay in exactly the situation they are in now.

You would think that these proponents of this sham bill might understand our reluctance to accept at face value, the words in the bill on border enforcement, employer sanctions, etc., given that our government has pulled the wool over our eyes repeatedly on these issues. Most of us simply don't trust our government to actually do what they say they are going to do.

The bill is full of language that actually undermines these very provisions.

I would like to know where is the "compromise" I keep reading and hearing about? Seems to me that those negotiating this on the GOP side/against illegal immigration have given in on most of the issues.

Those that say we have to pass this now are wrong. This bill is worse than what we have currently. Passing this bill will only encourage more illegals to come and the same "it's too hard" responses from our weak, unaccountable representatives in Washington. They are not listening to the public but rather circling the wagons, voters be damned.

We won't forget when the supporters of this come up for re-election.

Posted by RU Serious on May 30, 2007 02:02 PM

Amnesty for 12-25 million illegals, who suddenly become legal with a simple signature, is nevery worth a shot.

What illegal activity recieves amnesty from the law next?

Posted by Hank on May 30, 2007 10:42 AM

I think this article and these comments further reveal the fact that prejudice and straight bigotry are the fuel burning a large part of the anti-immigration reform populace. I do not agree with a lot of the church's position's either, but anti-Catholicism remains the most enduring prejudice in America. I think there is real difference between disagreement and prejudice. We, that is our system of government CREATED the immigration problem because we love cheap labor and now we want to make it easy and blame the victims. The bill is fair.

Posted by tallport on May 30, 2007 10:37 AM

The catholic church harbors 'fugitives'!
The church needs to clean his own back yard (the perverted priests) before they start getting into the immigration business.
Try being faithful to your own American Citizen-catholiic.

Posted by on May 30, 2007 10:03 AM

Nearly 90 percent of Mexicans declare themselves to be Roman Catholic.

Mr. Chaput should, therefore, be addressing his concerns to his fellow congregates runnning the oppressive oligarchy in Mexico, the people perpetuating the poverty and ignorance that persuades the poor to leave the land of their birth to come here.

The "thugs" Chaput should be advocating against are in Mexico City. Until he does that, this priest should stick to saving souls -- and respect the principle of separation of church and state that we honor in the United States of America.

Posted by Dave Chandler on May 30, 2007 09:16 AM

Chaput is "kaput". He is supporting amnesty for the same reasons as K.Salazar, Tina Griego, Mexican gov't, Vatican, Wal-Mart, ag and construction industries, and GOP. They are simply pimping and exploiting criminal illegal Mexicans, for their own financial gain.

Blacks in Northeast Denver have been decimated by criminal illegal Mexicans. These "illegals" vote; hence for the first time in decades, there are no elected blacks on RTD's board of directors (13 whites and 2 Latinos). The GOP did this so blacks wouldn't have access to the $14 billion in federal funds spent in T-REX and Fas Tracks (jobs and contracts). Blacks should take to the streets.

The black vote was nullified through a slick Texas-style redistricting (Voting Rights Act of 1965 violations) orchestrated by K. Salazar and Billie Mae Owens. Standing on the sidelines while blacks are being financially and emotionally raped by illegals, are Wedgeworth-less, Hancock, Groff, Marshall, T.Carroll, and Jones. Where is U.S. Sen. "Pretty-Boy" Obama, when you need him?

Posted by my40acresandmule on May 30, 2007 07:39 AM

The Reverend Chaput opines in his May 30, 2007 letter that these United States must grant amnesty this year to illegal aliens, as set forth in Senator Salazar's Give Away America Act of 007, a.k.a. "comprehensive immigration reform".

It should be noted that most of Latin America, including Mexico, is Catholic. One must wonder if all these illegal aliens were Muslin, Buddhist, or Hindu, if Reverend Chaput would be so willing to grant them amnesty, with all the attendant benefits, at the expense of the American taxpayer? It might also be good to point out that Senator Salazar is himself a Catholic.

The problem with Senate Bill 1348 ("comprehensive immigration reform) is that it's just a glorified retread. In 1986 Americans were promised that the Government would finally seal the borders and keep track of foreigners in our country if only we would grant amnesty to the 3 million poor, downtrodden illegals then in the U.S. So, Congress granted amnesty, at our expense, and promptly forgot about the rest of the deal, including funding border security. Twenty years later, we now have 12 to 20 million more illegals in the U.S., and Bush, Salazar & Co. (including the Catholic Church) thinks Americans are stupid enough to fall for the same old scam again. They are wrong.

3,000 innocent Americans were killed on 9/11 partially because the Government refused, and still refuses, to get a handle on immigration. Why? Because the real agenda of Salazar, Bush, the Hispanic lobby, and the Catholic Church is open borders and a North American Union of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. If NAFTA has taught us anything, it is that such a faith-based economic scheme will bankrupt this country, and forever destroy the American dream for succeeding generations of Americans. Let's be very clear about one thing: the American taxpayer DOES NOT owe a living to all of the poor, oppressed people of the world, Catholic or not. If the Catholic Church is so concerned for their welfare, let them get out their very substantial checkbook(s) and take care of it IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES, and stay out of our country and our wallets. After all, religious organizations are tax-exempt, and we most assuredly are not.

We do not need, and cannot afford, "comprehensive immigration reform" that encourages yet more illegal immigration by granting yet another amnesty. What we need, rather, are politicians in Washington with the backbone to enforce the immigration laws of the United States already in place. There is a very good reason the Founding Fathers put a firm partition in the Constitution between church and state (1st Amendment), and Reverend Chaput's letter is a very good example of how wise they were.

Posted by Richard on May 30, 2007 07:27 AM

With all due disrespect, Mr.Chaput,clean your own house before you want to crap in mine.
I think you know what I'm talking about.
Looking for new little boys and girls as servants of the almighty Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church is very wealthy if you want illegals to stay here YOU pay for them.

Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on May 30, 2007 07:27 AM

Hey dude...I'm not Catholic, so I feel no need to kiss his ring (or anything else...), your statement (as in opinion, NOT fact) that "Most are innocent, hard-working people" is a LIE. A fabrication, an outright deliberate false statement. What part of illegal entry into the USA do you not understand? A person is not "innocent" when their very first act in the country is illegal entry. They may, I say may, be otherwise not criminal, but like so many supporters of illegals in this country, you gloss over and ignore this FACT.

Also, your kind continues to act and talk as if this misguided effort to "push a vital reform process forward" is, in and of itself, a good and necessary thing. As if the current laws, albeit unenforced in any serious manner, are failing to protect the Nation and, thus in need of reform. How about we simply enforce existing LAW? Considering how so many towns, cities and CHURCHES have taken it upon themselves to provide sanctuary to illegals, thus ignoring current law, why would anyone with a brain believe that "reform" will change a thing? People like you ignore the law of the land now for whatever purpose fits your mood of the moment, and THAT ain't going to change anytime soon.

The American economy does not "need" the guaranteed influx of even more illegals, a situation that will surely follow the legalization of the current gang of illegals. The American economy needs workers who don't begin their 'American Dream' by illegal activity.

Oh and by the way, I personally don't give a hoot about the "families" of illegals who are separated from each other. The American people, the legal ones, didn't put these families in their current situation, and it is a most disingenuous tactic to try and make "family values" a rally point for this subject.

But disingenuous actions by people like you is the norm when dealing with this kind of thing.

Enforce the Law.
Build the wall.
No Amnesty!!

Posted by Jim in Erie on May 30, 2007 06:48 AM

I disagree with the assertion that the Comprehensive Immigration Bill is not “AMNESTY”. The bill is nothing more then the Government attempting to justify its failure to enforce the law and to do what it has consistently promised and failed to do and that is to secure the borders and to prosecute those who employee the Illegal Immigrants.

The legislation does not even discuss the cost to the American Taxpaying Citizen. Each of the Illegal Immigrants cost almost $20,000 a year more then they contribute and the estimated influx of Immigrants would be somewhere between 40 – 60 million more over the next 20 years all requiring more from the taxpaying public. The cost of this scam will be in the trillions of dollars.

At a time when jobs are being relocated outside of the country and cheap illegal labor is pouring into the country --- the only result will be the marginalizing of the average American and will block the opportunities for the citizens who must compete with the Illegal Immigrant. We have already taken jobs in the food and construction industries that use to support families and transformed them by the use of Illegal Immigrants.

If it is true that we need additional workers – wouldn’t it make sense to bring in those who have patiently waited and OBEYED THE LAW and displace those who have flaunted it.

This legislation is an affront to JUSTICE – we don’t need more laws just the enforcement of the existing laws – for until we do Illegal Immigration will not be stopped.

Shame on you and the Church for turning its back on the American Citizen!

Posted by Steve on May 30, 2007 05:53 AM