Thread: OR: (Priest) Vlazny blasts federal raid/illegal immigrants

Vlazny blasts federal raid against illegal immigrants
Posted by The Oregonian June 13, 2007 13:46PM
Categories: Breaking News
Archbishop John G. Vlazny of Portland sharply criticized Tuesday's raid on a North Portland food processing plant that ended with the arrest of 167 people.

In a news release, the Roman Catholic leader in Western Oregon called the move "an affront to a nation whose tradition has always welcomed the stranger in search of the security and livelihood which he cannot find in the country of his origin."

He called on "Catholic parishes and individuals to offer assistance and support to families that have been affected by this raid."

In addition, he called for passage of a "just and humane comprehensive immigration reform bill in Congress" based on these principles:

• Make family a priority in immigration law.

• Insist that worker programs contain protection for U.S. citizen and migrant workers.

• Allow for earned legalization for undocumented immigrants.

• Restore due process protections for immigrants.

• Respond to the economic, political and social root causes of immigration.

Here's the statement in full:

"Yesterday's raid on the Fresh Del Monte Produce plant in North Portland is an affront to a nation whose tradition has always welcomed the stranger in search of the security and livelihood which he cannot find in the country of his origin. 167 families have been torn apart. They live in uncertainty. Many do not know where the sole support of their family has been taken. They have no idea when or if their loved ones will return. Within the immigrant community, there is a fear that raids such as this are aimed at ridding the country of a significant number of immigrants before immigration reform is achieved.

Comprehensive reform of United States' immigration policies is an urgent need. Congress cannot wait to reform the immigration system because human beings are suffering. Human life and human dignity are at stake. Our current policies do not provide reasonable and timely procedures for those seeking residency or citizenship. They do not adequately provide for family reunification.

If such reform is to be achieved, it is essential that there be a moratorium on such raids until Congress can reform the nation's immigration system. We ask that public officials work toward a reasonable solution that will offer a path to citizenship to immigrants who are now forced to live in the shadows. The immigrant community that lives in our midst is frightened and in pain. I encourage Catholic parishes and individuals to offer assistance and support to families that have been affected by this raid.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews ... d_aga.html

I agree with Cardinal Vlazny on 3 points:
1: Make family a priority in immigration law....but they should be "Legal American Families!"

2: Respond to the economic, political and social roots of immigration, by refusing to take in the world's poor and start enforcement of our laws! Then countries that are using the U.S. as welfare will have to start taking care of their own people!

3: Finally he calls for a "just and humane comprehensive immigration reform bill, and again I agree "just and humane for the protection for all Legal American citizens whose jobs and wages are being eroded by third world labor.....Protect the American worker, Protect the standard of living for the middle class,,,,lastly PROTECT OUR SOVREIGNITY FOR OUR CHILDRENS SAKE!