clergy wants to stop proposal for denial of svcs to illegals
http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_i ... 8#storytop
Clergy wants to stop proposal for denial of services to illegal immigrants
By HOWARD FISCHER
Capitol Media Services
04/08/2005
PHOENIX -- A group of religious leaders wants lawmakers to kill proposals to deny even more services to those here illegally, even if that costs money for Arizona taxpayers.
The Rev. Charles Fitzsimmons of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Phoenix said Thursday there is a moral obligation to provide help to those who for economic reasons feel it is necessary to cross the border illegally.
Fitzsimmons, at the Capitol on behalf of the Arizona Interfaith Network, told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee that legislators do have the right to pass laws to control the borders.
"But that right is not absolute," he continued. Fitzsimmons said people "have the right to support themselves and their families."
The arguments drew an angry response from Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City.
"Our whole legal system is based on the consent of the governed," Gould said. And he said "the governed" expressed their clear wishes not to subsidize illegal immigration through their approval of Proposition 200.
At the same time, Gould said, Fitzsimmons acknowledged churches are providing aid to border crossers.
"You folks are undermining United States law, which is treasonous," Gould charged.
The efforts of the clergy did not stop committee members from approving HB 2030 which expands the list of services not available to illegal entrants beyond what is in the initiative approved by voters in November.
That includes adult education classes and child care assistance.
Committee members did agree to remove a provision in the House-passed measure which would have denied entrance into any state university or community college for those not here legally.
But the measure, which now goes to the full Senate, would require those neither citizens nor legal residents to pay the higher tuition charged to out-of-state residents, even if the youngsters attended Arizona high schools. And they also would be ineligible for any other fee waivers, grants, scholarships or other financial aid paid for, in whole or part, with state funds.
If HB 2030 gains Senate approval -- something that has a good chance of happening -- that will put the issue on the desk of Gov. Janet Napolitano.
She opposed Proposition 200. But, once that was approved, Napolitano has said she will respect and enforce the will of the voters.
The Appropriations Committee also voted Thursday to amend the state constitution to have English declared the official language of the state. It also would forbid ballots and other voting materials from being printed in any language other than English.
"These bills do not solve the real problem of immigration in our state," said the Rev. Roger Thompson of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix. He called it "unconscionable" for the state to penalize children and families for the failure of the federal government to enact meaningful immigration reform.
Fitzsimmons said members of the Arizona Interfaith Network understand that voters approved Proposition 200 at least in part to cut the cost of services to those not here legally.
"What our bishops have said in their faith-based principles is ... we are all family, that people across the whole world are neighbors, one to another," Fitzsimmons said. "We particularly have to take care of those who are needy, those who are hurting."
He said economics drives those who decide to come here illegally. Fitzsimmons said the solution is "real immigration reform."
The Church's help is sinful
All churches (but more so the Catholic churches) hiding away, aiding and abetting illegal Aliens are committing ILLEGAL activity.
These illegal Alien helper churches also feed the greed of cheap labor employers and commits illegal Aliens to lives of labor exploitation abuse.
These Churches aiding illegal Aliens assist in illegal Aliens doing RAPES, Counterfeiting, predatory sex acts, etc.
Lawlessness and Greed are sins that these Churches are committing.
