Thread: Immigration isn't "Fear Factor"

Immigration isn't 'Fear Factor:' Catholic priests

October 21, 2006
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Staff Reporter
A diverse group of priests from the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago joined the immigration debate Friday, calling for the suspension of nonfelony deportations until more "compassionate" laws and policies are implemented for undocumented residents.
The 120-member Priests for Justice for Immigrants is not advocating opening the border between Mexico and the United States or using houses of worship as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants -- like Adalberto United Methodist Church has for Elvira Arellano.

Rather, they are asking to reform immigration policies by helping undocumented people obtain legal citizenship, ultimately keeping families together.

"What we're trying to provoke is the will to do it [implement reform laws]," said Cicero's Mary Queen of Heaven pastor, the Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, flanked by 50 other local Catholic leaders.

"The only will we've seen at this point is the creation of a wall along the borders and the conversation concerning illegal immigrants has been more than aggressive, so we are presenting ourselves as those who are looking for a more comprehensive, rational and more calm conversation."

The priests were given scrolls containing the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform pledge that will be posted in parishes throughout the archdiocese. The pledge calls for increasing awareness of the "contributions" and "struggles" of undocumented immigrants through videos, pamphlets and personal accounts. It also asks priests to emphasize immigrants' rights during services on Oct. 29.

Nearly 45 percent of the 2.5 million archdiocese parishioners are immigrants -- the majority hailing from Spanish-speaking countries, said Elena Segura, director of the archdiocese's Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform.

The priests said it's a matter of faith to help their congregations.

'People risk their lives'

"This isn't 'Fear Factor.' This isn't a reality show," said the Rev. Gary Graf, pastor of Waukegan's Holy Family parish, where 70 percent of worshippers are immigrants. "These people risk their lives to come here. We live their lives every day."
Meanwhile in Chicago, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office announced Friday the arrests of 16 immigration fugitives as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Secure Border program. Thirteen of the 16 have criminal convictions such as robbery, drunken driving, fraud and illegal possession of a firearm, ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro said.

"ICE is responsible for enforcing more than 400 immigration and customs statutes as they're currently written and we will continue to do so," Montenegro said.

rhussain@suntimes.com


http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1056 ... 21.article

Where is the compassion for all the Americans hurt or killed, displaced, replaced as so forth.... Where is the free healthcare for American citizens, the freedom to not pay taxes, no responsiblity if we break the law???????


This is nonsense!!! Deport, and repeal all trade agreements. Open borders makes a mockery of all wars fought and deaths in vain for freedom in America and all over the world.

Power corrupts. We see it in the local, state and FEDERAL LEVELS. Imagine putting all the power to beaurocrats who could really care less if life is fair for the underclass?! This is dangerous policy to try to merge our countries WITH NO CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. Repeal all trade agreements. Bring back jobs, give back a livlihood to South America, build the wall and LET MEXICO FACE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS A NATION TO TAKE CARE OF IT'S OWN. This is really becoming a nightmare..Wake up America!!

I'm done on the soapbox... Next...