Catholics and immigration
Public Forum Letter
Article Last Updated: 01/05/2008 12:19:48 PM MST


The Catholic Church and Bishop John Wester's position on immigration is wrong ("It's open season on immigrants," Opinion, Dec. 2). I, too, support immigration - legal immigration.
It's all about number of members. If the majority of immigrants were potential members of the Jewish faith, would the Catholic Church be such an advocate of these illegal immigrants?
My family legally immigrated to this country and I am only of the second generation born here. I was raised in the church, devoutly attending mass and contributing support. Nevertheless, I have the common sense to see the error of its position.
The Catholic Church should not support criminal activity in a lawful society. The strain that illegal immigrants put upon taxpaying citizens is the issue. Taxpayers should not be forced into charitable support of the church by having limited tax funds used up by criminals.
My mother and mother-in-law face losing the homes they worked a lifetime for due to increasing tax burden. Immigrants should be required to have a legally binding sponsorship of a family or businessman who will provide any and all required support until they are self-sustaining.

Elaine Thomas
Salt Lake City

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_7890856